Psychologic and social aspects of cardiovascular disease.

In summarizing the evidence, it becomes apparent that several psychologic and social variables are related to coronary heart disease (CHD). Coronary prone behavior pattern, in particular the hostility component, appears to be related to the development and perhaps expression of CHD, whereas it is not reliably related to outcomes after CHD is manifest. Depression clearly has been shown to be related to outcomes after CHD has declared itself. Lack of social ties appears to be related to mortality, whereas emotional social support has been shown to be related to recovery from coronary events. It also seems apparent that there are subsets of vulnerable individuals who might be best served by targeted interventions. Interventions are proposed as suggested by the prevailing evidence.