The role of sex and gender in somatic complaints among patients with coronary heart disease: A longitudinal study on acute and long-term changes.

Background: Somatic complaints are persistently reported in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Sex and gender influence health and well-being in a variety of ways, but it is unknown how they affect somatic complaints over time after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, we examined the association between sex and gender on somatic health complaints during the first month (acute) and the first two years (recovery) after PCI.

Patient and healthcare professionals' perceived barriers and facilitators to the implementation of psychosocial screening in cardiac practice: A Delphi study.

Background: Psychosocial risk factors contribute to the incidence and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD). Psychosocial screening may identify individuals who are at risk and aid them with getting appropriate care. To successfully implement psychosocial screening in the cardiology practice, the current study aims to identify key barriers and facilitators to its implementation and evaluate their perceived importance among health care professionals (HCPs) and patients.

Validity of a multidimensional comprehensive psychosocial screening instrument based on the ESC cardiovascular prevention guidelines - Evidence from the general and cardiovascular patient population.

Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties and validity of the updated version of the Dutch multidimensional Comprehensive Psychosocial Screening Instrument in patients with coronary heart disease and the general population, based upon guideline recommendations from the European Society for Cardiology.

Method: 678 participants (M = 48.2, SD = 16.

Chronic stress exposure in men and women, and implications for the course of fatigue after percutaneous coronary intervention; the THORESCI study.

Background: Fatigue is a prevalent symptom in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Individual differences in chronic stress may affect the experience and persistence of fatigue, and this may vary between the sexes. Therefore, we studied the effect of chronic stress on the course of fatigue over a 2-year period after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and examined the moderating effects of sex.

Multi-modal responses to the Virtual Reality Trier Social Stress Test: A comparison with standard interpersonal and control conditions.

The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a reliable social-evaluative stressor. To overcome limitations of the in vivo TSST, a standardized virtual reality TSST (VR-TSST) was developed. The present study compares the emotional (anxiety) and physiological (heart period and variability) response to a VR-TSST with an in vivo TSST and a control condition.

Emotion regulation in social interaction: Physiological and emotional responses associated with social inhibition.

Social inhibition may be associated with individual differences in emotion regulation. Mechanisms relating emotion regulation to social inhibition are largely unknown. We therefore examined how social inhibition is associated with emotional, sympathetic, and parasympathetic responses during sadness induction, and while employing emotion regulation strategies during social interaction after sadness induction.

Physiological and emotional responses to evaluative stress in socially inhibited young adults.

Background: There are large individual differences in dealing with everyday social stress. Therefore, we investigated the association of social inhibition (and its facets) with the emotional and physiological responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).

Methods: Undergraduate students (N = 312) completed the 15-item Social Inhibition Questionnaire (SIQ15) and participated in the TSST, while emotional and cardiovascular stress responses were recorded.

Type D personality affects health-related quality of life in patients with lone atrial fibrillation by increasing symptoms related to sympathetic activation.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and even more so in patients with a Distressed personality type (Type D). It is unknown whether this extends to patients with 'lone AF'. Since chronic stress is associated with increased arousal, it might affect recurrences and thus HRQoL.

Person-centered analysis of psychological traits to explain heterogeneity in patient-reported outcomes of coronary artery disease- the THORESCI study.

Background: Heterogeneity in the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients may be explained by relatively stable individual psychological differences. Therefore, we studied multiple personality and coping traits using a person-centered approach, and examined the predictive value of this approach for patient-reported outcomes.

Method: 657 CAD patients (age = 66.

Latent profiles of early trauma & Type D personality: sex differences in cardiovascular risk markers.

Background: Both adverse early life-events and distressed personality are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. As there is an important link between these psychological factors, we investigated how these might cluster in sex-specific psychological profiles. We further examined the association of these profiles with cardiovascular risk markers.

The tense, the hostile and the distressed: multidimensional psychosocial risk profiles based on the ESC interview in coronary artery disease patients - the THORESCI study.

Background: While single psychosocial factors have been associated with cardiovascular outcomes, it is still unclear how they cluster. Therefore, we examined whether latent multidimensional psychosocial risk profiles could be identified in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) psychosocial screening interview. Additionally we examined whether these profiles were associated with specific sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics.

Explaining heterogeneity in the predictive value of Type D personality for cardiac events and mortality.

Background: Type D personality has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, large heterogeneity exists between Type D studies, including some studies reporting null-findings.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine i) choice of endpoint and ii) age as two study characteristics that may partly explain this large heterogeneity in the Type D associated prognostic effect.

Interrelation and independence of positive and negative psychological constructs in predicting general treatment adherence in coronary artery patients - Results from the THORESCI study.

Background: In cardiac patients, positive psychological factors have been associated with improved medical and psychological outcomes. The current study examined the interrelation between and independence of multiple positive and negative psychological constructs. Furthermore, the potential added predictive value of positive psychological functioning regarding the prediction of patients' treatment adherence and participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) was investigated.

Self-Care and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

Objectives: This study examined the association of self-care with all-cause mortality in a cohort of patients with chronic heart failure (HF).

Background: Although self-care is crucial to maintain health in patients with chronic HF, studies examining an association with clinical outcomes are scarce.

Methods: Consecutive patients with chronic HF (n = 559, mean age 66.

Determinants of Dyspnea in Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: Dyspnea is a hallmark symptom of heart failure (HF), associated with impaired functional capacity and quality of life. The experience of dyspnea is multifactorial and may originate from different sources. This study set out to examine the relative importance of potential contributors to dyspnea, ie, disease severity, inflammation and psychologic distress in a large prospective cohort of chronic HF patients.

Cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress and mortality in patients with heart failure.

Objectives: This study examined whether blood pressure (BP) and heart rate responses to acute mental stress were associated with mortality in patients with heart failure (HF).

Background: HF is characterized by reduced contractility and impaired BP reactivity. Compared to exercise-induced physiological changes, the effects of mental stress on BP and heart rate in HF are not well understood.

Type D personality is associated with low cardiovascular reactivity to acute mental stress in heart failure patients.

Background: The distressed (Type D) personality is associated with adverse coronary heart disease outcomes, but the mechanisms accounting for this association remain to be elucidated. We examined whether myocardial and hemodynamic responses to mental stress are disrupted in Type D patients with chronic heart failure (HF).

Methods: Ninety-nine HF patients (mean age 65±12years; 75% men) underwent a public speech task, during which heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded.