Positive psychological well-being and cardiovascular health.

Positive psychological well-being (PPWB) is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in cardiovascular health of both healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This mini-review synthesizes the current state of knowledge on the relationship between PPWB and cardiovascular health, examining relevant studies on PPWB in both populations. The conceptualization of PPWB encompasses hedonic and eudaimonic facets, with constructs such as optimism, purpose in life, and vitality playing crucial roles.

Relationship between erectile dysfunction and alexithymia in male patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) implantation is a life-saving intervention for individuals at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. However, the psychosocial impact of ICD implantation extends beyond its cardiovascular benefits, potentially influencing emotional well-being and sexual health. This can lead to erectile dysfunction, which, is often associated with alexithymia.

Validation of the German Purpose in Life Questionnaire (PLQ) in a healthy population and patients with cardiovascular disease.

In this cross-sectional study, a German translation of the subscale "Purpose in Life" (PLQ) from the Scales of Psychological Well-being (SPWB) was validated in a representative sample of participants from healthy and cardiovascular populations. The main objectives were to assess the reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity using a large and representative sample (N = 466 healthy sample, N = 247 patients with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), N = 70 patients with a cardiovascular disease (CVD)). The findings indicated that the German PLQ is a reliable and valid measure of positive psychological well-being, showing a positive correlation with health-related quality of life, optimism, and positive affect.

Cardiac disease-induced trauma and stress-related disorders.

Objective: This review aims to present an updated overview of cardiac disease-induced trauma and stress-related disorders such as acute stress disorder (ASD), adjustment disorder (AjD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First, the prevalence of these disorders, their diagnostic criteria, and their differences from other trauma-related disorders are described. Special challenges in diagnosis and treatment are identified, with various screening tools being evaluated for symptom assessment.

Mindfulness Is Associated with Lower Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Higher Quality of Life in Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Several studies suggested the efficacy of dispositional mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions in reducing anxiety and depression in cardiovascular diseases. However, data on the impact of mindfulness on the psychological well-being of patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) are scarce. In this study, 422 patients with an ICD were prospectively recruited.

Cross-sectional study on the impact of adverse childhood experiences on coronary flow reserve in male physicians with and without occupational burnout.

Objective: Physicians face documented challenges to their mental and physical well-being, particularly in the forms of occupational burnout and cardiovascular disease. This study examined the previously under-researched intersection of early life stressors, prolonged occupational stress, and cardiovascular health in physicians.

Methods: Participants were 60 practicing male physicians, 30 with clinical burnout, defined by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and 30 non-burnout controls.

Cortisol Reactivity to Acute Psychosocial Stress in Physician Burnout.

Background: Physician burnout, characterized by chronic job-related stress leading to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. This cross-sectional study investigates cortisol reactivity in male physicians with burnout compared to healthy controls during an acute psychosocial stress test.

Methods: Sixty male physicians (30 burnout, 30 healthy controls) participated between September 2019 and December 2021 to investigate the impact of burnout on cardiovascular health.

Role of Heart Rate Variability in the Association between Myocardial Infarction Severity and Post-Myocardial Infarction Distress.

Objective: Myocardial infarction (MI) results in mental health consequences, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The risk and protective factors of such mental consequences are not fully understood. This study examined the relation between MI severity and future mental health consequences and the moderating role of vagal nerve activity.

Coronary microvascular function in male physicians with burnout and job stress: an observational study.

Background: As a professional group, physicians are at increased risk of burnout and job stress, both of which are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease that is at least as high as that of other professionals. This study aimed to examine the association of burnout and job stress with coronary microvascular function, a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Methods: Thirty male physicians with clinical burnout and 30 controls without burnout were included.

Association Between Global Sleep Quality and Coronary Microvascular Function in Male Physicians With Occupational Burnout.

Objective: Occupational burnout has been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, although the mechanisms involved are elusive. We investigated whether poor global sleep quality is associated with impaired coronary microvascular function in male physicians, a professional group at increased risk of burnout.

Methods: Study participants were 30 male physicians with clinical burnout and 30 controls without burnout defined by the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

Fear of COVID-19 Predicts Depression, Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and Is Mediated by Positive and Negative Affects-A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected both the physical and mental health of the general population. People with cardiac diseases seem to be particularly vulnerable to the implications of the pandemic. However, studies on the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICDs) are lacking.

Longitudinal association between positive affect and blood lipids in patients following acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: Unfavorable blood lipid profiles are robust risk factors in predicting atherosclerotic disease. Studies have shown that positive affect (PA) is associated with a favorable lipid profile. However, longitudinal studies regarding the course of PA and lipid profiles in myocardial infarction (MI) patients are lacking.

Sympathetic nervous system responses to acute psychosocial stress in male physicians with clinical burnout.

Background: Occupational burnout has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with sympathetic nervous system (SNS) dysfunction as one explanation. This study examined the effects of burnout on responses of SNS activity measures to acute psychosocial stress in male physicians, a population at risk for burnout.

Methods: Study participants were 60 male physicians, 30 with clinical burnout, assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and 30 without burnout (controls).

Underutilization of effective coping styles in male physicians with burnout.

Ineffective coping is a risk factor for burnout among physicians, in whom the prevalence of burnout is high and has also increased in recent years. We examined in a cross-sectional study whether physicians with burnout show different coping styles compared with healthy controls. Male physicians (n = 60) were recruited into two groups (burnout vs.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a Consequence of Acute Cardiovascular Disease.

Purpose Of Review: To provide an update of the current evidence of cardiac disease-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (CDI-PTSD) with a focus on acute coronary events.

Recent Findings: A cardiovascular disease, particularly a life-threatening cardiac event is often a highly stressful experience that can induce PTSD in patients and their caregivers, taking a chronic course if left untreated. There are several features distinguishing CDI-PTSD from "traditional" PTSD induced by external trauma, namely enduring somatic threat, inability to avoid trauma-related cues and hyperarousal with internal body sensations leading to constant fear of recurrent cardiac events.

Association of positive psychological well-being with circulating inflammatory markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Accumulating evidence shows a protective effect of positive psychological well-being (PPWB) on health outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. One pathway relates to enhanced immune functioning (Boehm, 2021).

Physician-Specific Symptoms of Burnout Compared to a Non-Physicians Group.

Physician burnout is a systemic problem in health care due to its high prevalence and its negative impact on professional functioning and individual well-being. While unique aspects of the physician role contributing to the development burnout have been investigated recently, it is currently unclear whether burnout manifests differently in physicians compared to the non-physician working population. We conducted an individual symptom analysis of burnout symptoms comparing a large sample of physicians with a non-physician group.

Reply to Sopek Merkaš, I.; Lakušić, N. Comment on "von Känel et al. Early Trauma-Focused Counseling for the Prevention of Acute Coronary Syndrome-Induced Posttraumatic Stress: Social and Health Care Resources Matter. 2022, , 1993".

We thank Merkaš and Lakušić for commenting on our recently published paper; in the paper, we suggested that resources in a patient's social environment may moderate the benefit of one single-session trauma-focused counseling in the prevention of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms [...

Psychophysiological Stress Reactivity in Monozygotic Twins with and without Takotsubo Syndrome.

Objective: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction, often elevated myocardial enzymes, and electrocardiographic changes. Previous studies suggested that an overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system might cause TTS. However, the pathogenesis of TTS is largely unknown.

Sex and age as predictors of health-related quality of life change in Phase II cardiac rehabilitation.

Aims: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) not only improves cardiovascular outcomes, but also health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Unfortunately, CR is still underutilized, especially among women and older patients. Aim of this study was to highlight age- and sex-specific effects of inpatient CR on HRQOL.

Psychosocial and clinical characteristics of a patient with Takotsubo syndrome and her healthy monozygotic twin: a case report.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction, increased myocardial biomarkers, and electrocardiographic changes. Symptoms of TTS are similar to those of acute coronary syndromes, but there is often no significant coronary stenosis. Although emotional and physical stressors are often reported as having triggered TTS, the pathogenesis is largely unknown.

Effect of Early Psychological Counseling for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Induced by Acute Coronary Syndrome at Long-Term Follow-Up.

Objective: Psychological consequences of myocardial infarction (MI) are substantial, as 4% of all MI patients develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 12% clinically relevant posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The study investigated the course and development within 12 months of MI-induced PTSS to gain novel insights in potentially delayed response to early trauma-focused counseling aimed at preventing the incidence of MI-induced PTSS.

Methods: In the MI-SPRINT two-group randomized controlled trial, 190 MI-patients were randomly allocated to receive a single-session intervention of either trauma-focused counseling or an active control intervention targeting the general role of stress in patients with heart disease.