Cardiovascular Health: A Challenge for Midlife

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses cardiovascular health in midlife. Middle age is an important time for risk factor modification, be it primary or secondary prevention. Understanding the psychology of adult development during midlife should help to prevent the onset of coronary heart disease (CHD) and reduce the impact in those affected. This chapter focuses the psychosocial factors and cardiovascular disease, primarily CHD and hypertension, about which there is a large literature on psychophysiology and behavioral epidemiology. 11-20% of persons with CHD have participated in cardiac rehabilitation programs. These programs are designed to improve exercise tolerance and habits, lipid profiles, body weight, glucose and blood pressure levels, and cessation of smoking, along with reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. The societal impact of cohorts continues to influence those who enter middle age after them. Adding an understanding of cardiovascular health to the psychology of adult development and aging, particularly the study of middle age, has the opportunity to advance the understanding of the causes and consequences of cardiovascular disease during the middle and later years.