Smoking, diet, stress, coping, and exercise, among other behaviors and psychological states, are now clearly implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Prevention, based largely on altering behaviors that contribute to this chronic disease, is now as important a goal as is treatment of those already afflicted. This volume, based on a recent meeting of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research, addresses several important areas of research in the general area of cardiovascular disease. The topics covered reflect on important aspects of this phenomenon, such as the long-term development of coronary artery disease; central nervous system (CNS) regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, and sympathetic tone playing a pivotal role in sympathetic activity and hypertension; learned blood pressure modulation and baroreceptor activation as a means of reducing the aversiveness of stress or noxious stimulation; and the notion that symptoms of heart disease or infarction may occur in the absence of organic heart disease. Having been impressed by the recent advances in the field, the editors of this book capture the wealth of newly acquired knowledge about behavioral factors in cardiovascular disease and how the body's nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems work together.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of men and women in industrialized countries. In older age groups, CVD is also the most important cause for hospitalization, and, in many countries, it is the basis of early retirement from work. Thus, CVD is associated with enormous costs for care and loss of productivity, as well as for disabilities, pensions, etc. All this has motivated clinicians and scientists to develop and implement new methodologies and technologies to better care for patients who are hospitalized for heart disease. Efforts to improve care in the acute phases of coronary heart disease (CHD) have been successful. During the last decade, the immediate mortality risk of a patient admitted to coronary care for a suspected myocardial infarction or other acute coronary syndrome has decreased to less than 10%. Despite these achievements, CVD continues to represent a major threat to the health of middle-aged and elderly men and women. This volume addresses myriad aspects of CHD prevention, including biobehavioral and psychosocial factors, behavioral epidemiology, behavioral intervention models, and policy. The first section of the text provides an introduction to CVD prevention and behavioral medicine. The second section introduces two theoretically different approaches to preventive action, high-risk and population-based strategies. The third section describes and discusses the important questions of how behavioral sciences can be conceptually integrated into traditional, medically based, preventive efforts. The fourth section presents both population and high-risk behavioral intervention approaches. In summary, this volume examines the social environment and its potentials for preventive actions, reviews the psychosocial and biobehavioral mechanisms involved in these effects, and describes concrete and practical implementations of behavioral medicine knowledge as they have been applied to CHD prevention.

Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and many other countries, confers substantial risk for cerebrovascular events, such as stroke and vascular dementia. The neuropsychological sequelae of such conditions are well documented and can have a devastating impact on individuals' quality of life. However, prior to the development of overt cerebrovascular complications, persons with cardiovascular disease or its risk factors may display mild to severe neuropsychological difficulties. Medical and surgical treatments for cardiovascular disease have also been found to affect neuropsychological function. This landmark volume offers the first comprehensive overview of the neuropsychological consequences of cardiovascular disease, tracking its natural history, epidemiology, and treatments. It encourages researchers and clinicians to consider all relevant facets of vascular disease processes in their evaluation, study, and treatment of affected patients and indicates a need for primary and secondary prevention efforts. Neuropsychology of Cardiovascular Disease will be welcomed as an invaluable resource by neuropsychologists, specialists in behavioral medicine, neurologists, cardiologists, epidemiologists, gerontologists, and many other health professionals whose work brings them into contact with these challenging patients.

A dramatic shift in the average age of the U.S. population and the increasing number of elderly Americans has introduced new and challenging healthcare dilemmas. This book addresses these issues with contributed chapters by the leading authorities in the field of behavioral medicine. It deals with health and healthcare needs of the elderly by considering basic changes that result from aging and some of the more specific problems that accompany it. Content highlights include a review of the basic tenets of genetics and molecular biology including some of the methods of looking at heritable differences in health and well-being. Quality of life concerns are addressed, including the differences between men and women, as well as other gender issues. Several chapters deal with the effects of aging on immunity. The latter part of the book emphasizes the psychosocial implications of aging on cardiovascular disease. Chronic illness among the elderly is also addressed.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and around the world. Major risk factors for CVD result from poor lifestyle habits and practices, but the area of lifestyle medicine has emerged to help clinicians and their patients understand the power of positive lifestyle habits and actions. Written by cardiologist and lifestyle medicine pioneer, Dr. James Rippe, Integrating Lifestyle Medicine in Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention introduces the principles of lifestyle medicine with the practice of cardiology to help lower the risk of heart disease and, if already present, assist in its treatment. This book provides evidence-based information on both the prevention and treatment of CVD through lifestyle measures such as regular physical activity, sound nutrition, weight management and avoidance of tobacco products. This information aids physicians and patients to better understand multiple linkages between poor habits and practices, employing them with associated behavioral techniques to lessen the likelihood of developing CVD. Features: Summarizes major issues in CVD including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, lipid abnormalities and obesity. Provides protocols for overcoming a sedentary lifestyle and using lifestyle medicine techniques to optimize brain health. Empowers clinicians with vital information for consultations on the power of lifestyle medicine practices, both to treat symptoms if already present or to prevent major components of CVD from developing in the future. Written for practitioners at all levels, this user-friendly volume in the Lifestyle Medicine series is valuable to practitioners in general medicine or subspecialty practices including lifestyle medicine and cardiology.

First published in 1983. This is Volume III of the Handbook of Psychology and Health. Cardiovascular diseases are arguably the largest cause of death in the United States. This statement attests to the importance of understanding these disorders, in order to be able to prevent, ameliorate, and reduce the devastation which this set of diseases can cause. Cardiovascular disorders have also been the most intensely studied of those health hazards that have come to the attention of behavioral scientists. The many ways in which these problems are influenced by environmental, social, and behavioral factors have provided a fertile ground for study by investigators of many disciplines and persuasions. For these two reasons, it is appropriate that a volume in this series be directed toward the study of cardiovascular disease.

Traumatic brain injury has complex etiology and may arise as a consequence of physical abuse, violence, war, vehicle collisions, working in the construction industry, and sports. Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, and Behavioral Aspects of Traumatic Brain Injury will improve readers’ understanding of the detailed processes arising from traumatic brain injury. Featuring chapters on neuroinflammation, metabolism, and psychology, this volume discusses the impact of these injuries on neurological and body systems to better understand underlying pathways. This book will be relevant for neuroscientists, neurologists, clinicians, and anyone working to better understand traumatic brain injury. Summarizes the neuroscience of traumatic brain injury, including cellular and molecular biology Contains chapter abstracts, key facts, dictionary, and summary points to aid in understanding Features chapters on signaling and hormonal events Includes plasticity and gene expression Examines health and stress behaviors after traumatic brain injury

Over 600 references to journal articles, books, and dissertations dealing with environmental and behavioral factors as they affect the cardiovascular system. Arranged according to association of such factors, assessment, physiological mechanisms, developmental and cultural patterns, and intervention. Each entry gives bibliographical information. No index.