Psychocardiology Publisher



Fritzsche K ; Diazmonsalve S ; Zanjani HA ; Goli F ; Chen FKY ; Dobos CM
Source: Psychosomatic Medicine: An International Guide for the Primary Care Setting Published:2026

Abstract

Psychocardiology studies the psychological factors in the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of coronary heart disease. In addition to many widely known risk factors (such as hypertension, increased serum levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and genetic factors), psychosocial stress also plays a decisive role in the development and course of coronary heart diseases. After myocardial infarction 20% of patients meet the criteria of a depressive or anxiety disorder. These patients have a two to four times higher mortality and reinfarction risk compared to other patients. Through biopsychosocial anamnesis, the doctor can identify maladaptive coping strategies and psychosocial risk factors. These psychosocial risk factors include hostility, vital exhaustion, social isolation, and stress at work. Basic interventions include increasing self-esteem, reducing lack of confidence and anxiety, promoting lifestyle changes (healthy diet, physical activity, smoking cessation program) and correcting maladaptive relationship patterns within the family as well as at the workplace. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.