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Cardiovascular disease and meaning in life: A systematic literature review and conceptual model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2021

Joel Vos Open the ORCID record for Joel Vos [Opens in a new window]
Joel Vos*
Affiliation:
Metanoia Institute, Ealing, London, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Joel Vos, Metanoia Institute, Ealing, London, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives

Previous studies have shown that psychological stress and mental health problems increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, such as heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, after CVD events, the majority of patients report large stress. However, psychological treatments have only modest effects in CVD patients. Therefore, it has been argued that new conceptual models are needed to understand the aetiology of stress and mental health problems in CVD patients. Therefore, this study included a systematic literature review and a conceptual model on the role of meaning in life for psychological stress, mental health, and CVD risks.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted on relationships between CVD and meaning in life. PRISMA/MOOSE review guidelines were followed. These findings were used to build a conceptual model.

Results

The literature review included 113 studies on meaning and CVD. The included studies described meaning as a predictor of cardiovascular risks and health, meaning-centered needs of patients in conversations with medical staff, meaning-centered changes after CVD events, meaning-centered coping with CVD, meaning as motivator of CVD-related lifestyle changes, and meaning as an element in psychological treatments of CVD patients. In sum, the literature showed that a central clinical concern for patients is their question how to live a meaningful life despite CVD. Meaning-centered concerns seem to lead to lower motivation to make lifestyle changes, more psychological stress, lower quality-of-life, worse physical well-being, and increased CVD risk. The ability to live a meaningful life after CVD events is related with lower stress, better mental health, and several biomarkers.

Significance of results

An evidence-based conceptual framework was developed for the relationship between meaning and CVD. It may be hypothesized CVD patients may benefit from psychological therapies focused on meaning.

Keywords

CounselingExistentialHealth psychologyHeart attackMeaning in lifePsychotherapy
Type
Review Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , June 2021 , pp. 367 - 376
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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