Abstract P332: Self-perceived Psychological Factors and Their Impact on Ideal Cardiovascular Health by Gender: the Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF) Employee Study

Introduction: Psychological factors including stress are associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) disease outcomes. Gender differences exist in both the perception of stress and the magnitude of the stress response. We hypothesize that self-perceived psychological stressors would have a greater impact on women compared to men as measured by the American Heart Association Life’s Simple Seven (LS7) health metrics. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among employees of BHSF. The LS7 metrics (smoking, physical activity, diet, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose) were each scored as ideal (2), intermediate (1), or poor (0), with composite scores ranging from 0 to 14. Total scores were categorized as optimal (11-14), average (9-10) and inadequate (0-8). We used multinomial logistic regression to compare psychological factors obtained by questionnaire (self-perceived stress, life satisfaction, hopelessness, sadness, depression, anxiety) with the LS7 score (inadequate score served as reference). The model was stratified by gender and adjusted for age, ethnicity, and education level. Results: Of the 9,056 participants, 74% were female, 17% white, 57% Hispanic, 16% black, with a mean age of 43±12 years. Self-perceived adverse psychological factors were associated with being less likely to achieve adequate and optimal LS7 scores (Table). For example both women and men, respectively, with self-perceived stress were less likely to have optimal LS7 metrics [OR 0.47 (95% CI 0.40-0.56) vs. 0.50 (0.36-0.69)]. There were some interactions by gender (P Conclusions: In an ethnically diverse population, participants with negative self-perceived psychological factors are more likely to have inadequate CV health as measured by LS7. Contrary to our hypothesis, in general, men and women were similarly affected by adverse psychological factors. Addressing psychological stressors may be one mechanism to improve CV health.