Hypertension

Psychological Health, Polysocial Risk, and Cardiovascular Health Among Women of Reproductive Age

JACC AdvPublished cross-sectional analysis

Authors' conclusion

Psychological distress was associated with several adverse CVH risk factors independent of cumulative social disadvantage, supporting more comprehensive CVH risk assessment and prevention in women of reproductive age.

Study context

Population
Women of reproductive age enrolled in the SAFE HEART (Social Determinants of Hypertension Among Women of Reproductive Age) studywomen (mean age 30.87 ± 6.68 years)
Participants
361 women
Exposure
Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress and adverse cardiovascular health (CVH) risk factors, adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, and polysocial risk score
Outcome
Psychological distress prevalence

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

  • Psychological distress was highly prevalent

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Smoking (depressive symptoms)

Adjusted OR (95% CI)
Depressive symptomsStrongest association4.71 (2.49–8.91)

Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking

Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress were each associated with higher odds of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking
  • After adjustment for age, race, and cumulative social disadvantage

Low physical activity, low fruit and vegetable intake, suboptimal sleep duration, and elevated body mass index

Not meaningfully associated with psychological health measures

CVH risk by continuous psychological health scores

Higher depressive, anxiety, and stress scores were associated with greater CVH risk, with the strongest gradient observed for depressive symptoms

Original publication

Psychological Health, Polysocial Risk, and Cardiovascular Health Among Women of Reproductive Age. JACC Adv. Published June 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102796

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