REDUCING RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE

The focus of this review article is to examine the importance of psych ological and social factors in the development and maintenance of card iovascular diseases, primarily coronary heart and artery disease, and to provide an overview of the effectiveness of psychosocial risk reduc tion interventions. First we summarize the prevalence and economic bur den of cardiovascular disease, as well as the role of psychosocial fac tors in disease development and progression. We then examine the prima ry modifiable risk factors and evaluate the role of psychotherapists i n the treatment of heart disease. Finally, we assess the effectiveness of risk factor modification and rehabilitation interventions, describ e the potential costs and benefits of these programs, and discuss the role of primary prevention programs.