Behavioral Medicine Can Tackle Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Burden: A Call for New Priorities

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the number one cause of death in the U.S. Annual costs of CVD are estimated at $600 billion annually, and projected to top $1.1 trillion by 2035. Modifiable behavior and psychosocial factors contribute more than 50% to CVD risk, prognosis, and health-related quality of life. Leading cardiology professional groups have called for attention to these factors as part of prevention and treatment of CVD, yet the integration of behavioral and psychosocial health as part of overall CV care remains to be realized. The field of cardiovascular behavioral medicine could address this evidence-to-implementation gap; policy implications for changes in research, training and healthcare will be required.