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Positive psychological well-being (PPWB) is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in cardiovascular health of both healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This mini-review synthesizes the current state of knowledge on the relationship between PPWB and cardiovascular health, examining relevant studies on PPWB in both populations. The conceptualization of PPWB encompasses hedonic and eudaimonic facets, with constructs such as optimism, purpose in life, and vitality playing crucial roles. Studies among healthy individuals show a significant association between PPWB and improved cardiovascular health indicators, while research among cardiac patients highlights the importance of PPWB in predicting outcomes such as mortality and rehospitalization. Mechanistic pathways linking PPWB and cardiovascular health include biological processes, health behavior changes, and additional psychological resources that mitigate stress. Despite the growing evidence, questions remain unanswered, necessitating further research to understand these relationships and develop effective interventions. Promoting psychological well-being alongside physical health can enhance cardiovascular disease prevention and management, offering a comprehensive approach to improving patient outcomes and overall well-being.

Background: Physician burnout, characterized by chronic job-related stress leading to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. This cross-sectional study investigates cortisol reactivity in male physicians with burnout compared to healthy controls during an acute psychosocial stress test. Methods: Sixty male physicians (30 burnout, 30 healthy controls) participated between September 2019 and December 2021 to investigate the impact of burnout on cardiovascular health. Salivary cortisol levels were measured before and after a Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Covariates included age, BMI, and physical activity. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis and area under the curve analysis. Results: Male physicians with burnout exhibited significantly greater cortisol reactivity during the TSST, notably post-stress to 15 min post-stress. Emotional exhaustion correlated with reduced cortisol increase from pre-stress and smaller post-stress to 15- and 45-min declines. Discussion: Findings suggest heightened cortisol reactivity in male physicians with burnout, possibly reflecting initial chronic stress stages. This study highlights the necessity for long-term research on cortisol’s influence on cardiovascular health and stress responses across diverse groups. Conclusions: The findings contribute to comprehending physiological responses in burnout-afflicted physicians, emphasizing cortisol reactivity’s pivotal role in stress-related research and its potential health implications, particularly within the burnout context.

Objective: Myocardial infarction (MI) results in mental health consequences, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The risk and protective factors of such mental consequences are not fully understood. This study examined the relation between MI severity and future mental health consequences and the moderating role of vagal nerve activity. Methods: In a reanalysis of data from the Myocardial Infarction-Stress Prevention Intervention (MI-SPRINT) study, 154 post-MI patients participated. MI severity was measured by the Killip Scale and by troponin levels. Depression and PTSD symptoms were assessed with valid questionnaires, both at 3 and 12 months. Vagal nerve activity was indexed by the heart rate variability (HRV) parameter of the root-mean square of successive R-R differences (RMSSD). Following multivariate analyses, the association between MI severity and distress was examined in patients with low and high HRV (RMSSD = 30 ms). Results: In the full sample, the Killip index predicted post-MI distress only at 3 months, while troponin predicted distress at 3- and 12-months post-MI. However, HRV moderated the effects of the Killip classification; Killip significantly predicted symptoms of depression and PTSD at 3- and 12-months post-MI, but only in patients with low HRV. Such moderation was absent for troponin. Conclusion: MI severity (Killip classification) predicted post-MI depression and PTSD symptoms, but only in patients with low HRV, suggesting that the vagal nerve is a partial protective (moderating) factor in the relation between Killip score and post-MI distress.

ObjectiveUnfavorable blood lipid profiles are robust risk factors in predicting atherosclerotic disease. Studies have shown that positive affect (PA) is associated with a favorable lipid profile. However, longitudinal studies regarding the course of PA and lipid profiles in myocardial infarction (MI) patients are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to prospectively explore the association between PA and blood lipid levels across three inv estigations over 12 months following acute MI.MethodsPatients following an acute MI were examined at hospital admission (n = 190), and at 3 months (n = 154) and 12 months (n = 106) thereafter. Linear mixed effect regression models were used to evaluate the relation between PA, assessed with the Global Mood Scale, and blood lipid levels. Potential confounding variables were controlled for in the analysis.ResultsHigher PA was significantly associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and a lower total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ratio over time, independent of demographic factors, indices of cardiac disease severity, comorbidity, medication use, health behaviors, serum cortisol and negative affect (p≤0.040). No association was found between PA and the two blood lipids low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG).ConclusionsPositive affect was independently associated with HDL-C levels and the TC/HDL-C ratio in patients up to 1 year after MI. The findings support a potential role of PA for cardiovascular health through an association with a favorable blood lipid profile.