The article provides an overview of known psychosocial risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). These include major depression, anxiety, low socio-economic status, stress at work and in family life, social isolation, type D personality, and hostility.
These risk factors can be influenced by specific interventions such as behavioral instructions, psychoeducation, and psychotherapy. There is no clear evidence of the beneficial impact on CVD end points when a pharmacological treatment with antidepressants is used.
Moderate-intensity physical activity is recommended for both its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, as well as CVD prognosis improvement.