Social network and coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic individuals.
 

OBJECTIVE: to determine whether or not there is a relationship between psychosocial factors and coronary artery calcification (CAC). METHODS: 783 participants aged 57 +/- 9 years with 47% female underwent CAC imaging using electron beam tomography. The psychosocial measures examined included social network, socioeconomic status, history of depression, and current depressive symptoms. Also examined was the lipid profile, blood glucose, blood pressure, smoking status, exercise, and diet. RESULTS: Calcification was present in 45% of the participants, with the CAC score ranging from 0 to 3022. The average CAC score was 110. Being single or widowed was independently associated with an increased risk for the presence of CAC, after correcting for standard cardiac risk factors. Health behaviors, socioeconomic status, and depressive symptoms were not related to CAC. CONCLUSION: Being single or widowed is associated with CAC. This may explain in part why limited social networks have been shown to be associated with an increased risk for future adverse cardiovascular health outcomes. PMID: 15911895

Social network and coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic individuals. Kop WJ, Berman DS, Gransar H, Wong ND, Miranda-Peats R, White MD, Shin M, Bruce M, Krantz DS, Rozanski A. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. wjkop@usuhs.mil Psychosom Med. 2005 May-Jun;67(3):343-52.

ncupdate 2005