Is It Necessary for Cardiovascular Doctors to Learn More about Psychology and Mental Diseases?

Le résumé fourni par la source

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a highly prevalent condition globally; there were 626 million prevalent cases of CVD in 2023 globally.[1] As well, mental health conditions are widespread. According to new data released by the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people are living with mental health disorders, with conditions such as anxiety and depression inflicting immense human and economic tolls.[2] There are no globally precise statistics on prevalent cases of both CVD and mental disorders yet, which I personally believe is in need of much urgent attention. The close interaction between the heart and mind is evident in clinical practice based on multiple studies.[3-6] Psychological distress can directly affect cardiovascular health, leading to increased risk of heart disease progression and complications.[3-6] Ignoring these aspects can lead to incomplete patient care and suboptimal treatment outcomes. In addition, patients with heart disease commonly experience psychological disorders such as depression, stress and anxiety, which further impact their overall well-being and quality of life.[6] This issue will emphasize the necessity for cardiovascular doctors to expand their knowledge base to include psychology and mental diseases. By doing so, we hope to bridge the gap between cardiology and psychology, leading to improved patient care. With a better understanding of the psychological aspects of heart disease, cardiovascular doctors can offer comprehensive treatment that not only addresses the physical ailment but also supports patients’ mental well-being. Ultimately, this integration will contribute to a more comprehensive approach in managing cardiovascular diseases, ensuring better outcomes for patients. “Psychological Knowledge as an Essential Component of Adequate Medical Care: Position Statement for the Integration of Biopsychosocial Components in Modern Cardiology” is a position statement by Jürgen Beckmann et al. Drawing from extensive research, the authors highlighted the bidirectional relationship between CVDs and mental health, and they stressed that psychological factors such as depression and stress greatly influence cardiac outcomes. A holistic, team-based care model that includes clinical health psychologists to address both physical and mental health needs is needed. The article calls for systemic changes in clinical practice, training, and policy to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Rudi Putranto et al. published an article entitled “A Narrative Review of Heart Rate Variability and Psychosomatic Disorders: A Promising Tool for Assessment and Treatment.” The review article explores heart rate variability (HRV) as a noninvasive marker of autonomic nervous system function in psychosomatic conditions. The authors reviewed studies from 2014 to 2024 (n = 6 included) and found that reduced HRV is consistently associated with disorders such as anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and insomnia. They proposed that HRV monitoring is a noninvasive tool for assessing autonomic dysregulation and guiding personalized therapies in psychosomatic disorders. Future efforts should focus on improving wearable accuracy, integrating AI for real-time analysis, and establishing standardized protocols. Deborah Louise Sinclair and Steve Sussman contributed their work entitled “Behavioral Addictions and Cardiovascular Health: A Scoping Review of the Peer-Reviewed Primary Research Literature.” They engaged in a scoping review on the associations of behavioral addictions (i.e., sex, exercise, love, Internet, shopping, gambling, and work) with cardiovascular health. Its aims are to explore (1) the addictive behaviors addressed in the literature, (2) the study samples and country contexts, (3) the methods used, and (4) the associations found with cardiovascular disease or its precursors. They concluded that studies are needed to discern whether behavioral addictions primarily impact cardiovascular health through social and reactivity consequences of engaging in the behaviors or merely indirectly through engagement in sedentary lifestyles. An article titled “Treatment of Hoarding Disorder in a Patient with Heart Failure: A Case Report” was presented by Phillip J. Tully et al. They reported a patient with the unique combination of Hoarding disorder (HD) and heart failure. Results demonstrated modest improvements in HD symptoms from pretreatment to posttreatment. In conclusion, this case study showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy for HD appears moderately effective in the treatment of individuals with comorbid HF. However, the treatment necessitates several modifications to reduce dizziness and thus risk of syncope and falls that clinicians should familiarize themselves with. To sum up, there is a profound link between cardiovascular health and mental well-being. Beyond the current issue, we remain committed to an ongoing series of articles linked to psycho-cardiology and will publish more. We are dedicated to fostering a healthcare environment that prioritizes holistic care by increasing awareness about the connection between heart and mind. I very much appreciate all authors from diverse institutions all over the world for their contributions.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.