Abstract P3141: Psychological Health and Life’s Essential 8 Cardiovascular Health Risk among Women of Reproductive Age

Abstract

Introduction: Few studies have explored how stress, anxiety, and depression impact cardiovascular health among women of reproductive age. This study examines the relationship between psychological health and cardiovascular risk factors among community-enrolled participants and those from the American Heart Association’s Research Goes Red (RGR) registry. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of participants from the RGR Registry and the SAFE HEART study who completed cardiovascular and psychological health questionnaires. Psychological health risk was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (high stress, ≥8), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (high anxiety, ≥3), and Patient Health Questionnaire (high depression, ≥3). Dependent variables included Life’s Essential 8 cardiovascular health metrics: self-reported hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, overweight/obesity (≥25 kg/m2), poor diet (less than 5 servings of fruits/vegetables), low physical activity (<150 minutes/week, moderate), inadequate sleep (<7 or >9 hours), and smoking (current or history of 100 cigarettes). Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between psychological health and cardiovascular outcomes, adjusting for social risk covariates. Results: In this cross-sectional study of 457 women aged 18-44 the mean age was 30 years ± 5.7, with 45.51% Black adults, 87.30% had at least college education, 66.52% were married or living with a partner and 71.12% were employed. After adjusting for covariates, high stress was associated with increased odds of hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.29-3.36), hyperlipidemia (aOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.74-4.46), smoking (aOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.40-3.60) and lower odds of poor diet (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.38-0.98). High depression was similarly associated with hypertension (aOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.20-3.25), hyperlipidemia (aOR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.52-4.06), smoking (aOR = 4.61, 95% CI: 2.75-7.74), overweight/obesity (aOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.40-4.16), low physical activity (aOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.42-4.22), and poor diet (aOR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.75-5.61). High anxiety was also associated with hyperlipidemia (aOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.30-3.39) and smoking (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.08-2.96). Conclusion: We found significant associations between psychological health and cardiovascular risk factors among women of reproductive age. Interventions to improve psychological health may improve cardiovascular health and prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes.