ABSTRACT
This chapter examines diseases of the heart that are highly correlated with health behaviors and lifestyles, including coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac arrests, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertension. It deals with an overview of the cardiovascular system to identify the important components and functions of the heart and circulatory system and to understand how they work. The chapter explores the risk factors that lead to each of these diseases, including behavioral, genetic, individual, familial, environmental, and health policy factors. It discusses the psychological impact of heart disease on individuals, demonstrated in new research that reveals the role of depression on the onset of and recovery from cardiovascular disease. Coronary artery disease, perhaps the most common type of cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of heart attacks. The chapter summarizes the principal findings on the effects of psychosocial factors on one type of heart disease: hypertension.
