Mental Health in Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Patients: Findings from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS)

Current Status and Factors Influencing Mental Health Literacy in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to investigate the current status of mental health literacy and related influencing factors in patients with coronary heart disease. Four hundred and thirty-five patients with coronary heart disease were recruited in this survey. Data collection was conducted using the General Information Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale, Coronary Artery Disease Self-Management Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and Coronary Heart Disease Self-Efficacy Scale. Descriptive methods, independent samples t-test or one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. The results showed that the mean total mental health literacy score of patients with coronary heart disease was 96.42 ± 8.40; gender, age, education level, monthly per capita family income, first diagnosed with coronary heart disease, cardiac function classification, self-management ability, social support, and self-efficacy were the factors influencing the level of mental health literacy in patients with coronary heart disease (all p < 0.05). The study suggests that mental health literacy can improve patients' self-management ability and self-efficacy, and healthcare professionals should emphasize the strengthening of this aspect of health education in order to better improve patient's prognosis.

Mindfulness therapy for patients with coronary heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease with high mortality rates worldwide. Patients with CHD often experience adverse psychological stress related to the disease's diagnosis, treatment and recovery phases. This stress can hurt sleep quality and overall quality of life. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been studied as a psychotherapeutic approach to alleviating the psychological stress associated with CHD. This study aimed to determine the effectives of MBIs for health outcomes in patients with CHD.

METHODS

A total of eight English-language databases were searched, and eight relevant studies were included in the analysis. The included studies were assessed for literature quality, and data were extracted and analysed using Review Manager 5.3.

RESULTS

A total of eight studies involving 802 participants were included in the analysis. Compared to control groups, MBIs significantly reduced anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and systolic blood pressure. However, there was no significant effect on diastolic blood pressure, quality of life or body mass index. One study reported that MBIs significantly improved sleep quality in patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention but had no significant effect on body mass index.

CONCLUSION

MBIs had significant effects on anxiety and depression in patients with CHD, reduced perceived stress and were associated with reductions in systolic blood pressure and improvements in sleep quality. However, they did not significantly affect diastolic blood pressure, quality of life or body mass index.

Psycho-social dimensions of cardiovascular risk: exploring the impact of social isolation and loneliness in middle-aged and older adults

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health concern for middle-aged and older adults, with lifestyle and metabolic risk factors well-studied. However, the role of psychosocial factors in CVD remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to delve into the connection between psychosocial factors and the occurrence of CVD.

METHODS

We utilized data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale study covering adults aged 38 to 73 recruited from various centers across the UK between 2006 and 2010. We employed Cox proportional hazards models to analyze the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and incident CVD. CVD diagnoses were confirmed through hospital records and death-register data. Additionally, we conducted mediation analyses to assess the impact of low-grade inflammation.

RESULTS

The study encompassed 427,942 participants free from CVD, 55.8% of whom are women. High levels of social isolation and loneliness were linked to a higher risk of CVD (HRs 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16; HRs 1.17, 95% CI 1.11-1.23). Depression also emerged as a predictor of CVD onset (HRs 1.25, 95% CI 1.19-1.31), with each psychosocial factor independently contributing to increased CVD risk. Mediation analyses pinpointed inflammation as a crucial mediator, especially for loneliness (indirect effect proportion: 4.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the significance of psychosocial factors in relation to CVD. Integrating assessments for social isolation, loneliness, and depression into routine healthcare could potentially aid in CVD prevention among middle-aged and elderly individuals. This study underscores the significance of psychosocial factors in relation to CVD, emphasizing the association between social isolation or loneliness and the heightened risk of CVD.

Effect of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Adopting lifestyle interventions is pivotal in coronary artery disease (CAD) management and prevention to amplify cardiovascular and mental well-being. This study aims to quantify the effect of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on anxiety, depression and stress in CAD patients.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted by searching four electronic databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Science Direct) through December 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro tool, and the study outcomes were expressed as standard mean difference at 95% CI.

Results

Out of 1838 yielded results, eight RCTs involving 623 participants with a mean age of 56.96 ± 4.89 met the prespecified eligibility criteria. The pooled results showed a statistically significant and beneficial effect of MBIs on CAD patients' mental health status in regards to anxiety (SMD = -0.83; 95% CI [-1.19, -0.46], p < 0.001), depression (SMD = - 0.86; 95% CI [-1.14, -0.58], p < 0.001), and stress (SMD = -0.69; 95% CI [-1.27, -0.12], p = 0.02). The subgroup sensitivity analyses based on the region (Asia vs. Europe) indicated a statistically non-significant subgroup effect of MBIs on anxiety (I 2 = 63.9%, p = 0.10) and depression (I 2 = 25.8%, p = 0.25), and a significant effect on stress (I 2 = 80.0%, p = 0.03). Although the methodological quality of the trials was generally satisfactory, all studies lacked allocation concealment and blinding. Additionally, gender imbalances, and inadequate follow-up may have potentially compromised the validity of the trials.

Conclusion

Mindfulness-based interventions are beneficial for improving CAD patients' anxiety, depression and stress symptoms. Nevertheless, it is imperative to conduct more rigorous and robust studies with an equal gender ratio and long-term follow-up.

Association between personality traits and psychological distress among postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease: A cross-sectional survey and mediation analysis

Postmenopausal women with negative personality characteristics are at an increased risk of psychological disorders, yet little is known about the mechanism underlying the relationship between type D personality and psychological distress in postmenopausal women with coronary disease. This study assessed the mediating roles of perceived social support and self-perceived burden in the relationship between type D and psychological distress based on the equity theory and stress-buffering model. Demographic characteristics, type D, psychological distress, perceived social support, and self-perceived burden were completed by 335 participants with self-reported questionnaires using a cross-sectional design in Southeast China. The results revealed that perceived social support and self-perceived burden both separately and serially mediated the relationship between type D personality and psychological distress. Effective intervention strategies aimed at improving perceived social support or reducing self-perceived burden may be beneficial in reducing psychological distress.