Psychological Factors in Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Epidemiology, and Treatment Approaches

Anxiety, depression, and stress are exceedingly common among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and they significantly increase the risk of cardiac events, contributing to worse overall outcomes. There is compelling evidence linking these psychological factors to adverse cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction (MI) and sudden cardiac death. This review seeks to explore the intersection of mental health and cardiovascular function, highlighting the physiological, behavioral, and psychological mechanisms that drive the increased risk and poorer prognosis in these patients.