Perceived Control and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review.

Background: Perceived control, defined as an individual's belief in their ability to influence life events and circumstances, has been implicated in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some research has demonstrated a link between perceived control and blood pressure, a major CVD risk factor. However, methodological differences across studies, including variability in definitions and measures of perceived control, preclude a clear understanding of this relationship.