Childhood Factors in Adult Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a chronic, age-related disease, whose development begins in childhood. To fully understand the lifespan development of CVD, a focus on the childhood origins of the disease is necessary. This chapter examines the childhood origins of CVD from two vantage points. The first focuses on the early emergence of “adult” psychosocial CVD risk factors, including demographic factors, such as sex and ethnicity; environmental factors such as discrimination; and individual difference factors, such as hostility, anger, depression, and cardiovascular stress responses. The second vantage point focuses on identifying risk factors specific to childhood, such as childhood adversity and low birth weight. Childhood adversity is further distinguished by two primary foci: socioeconomic status and adverse childhood experiences. The chapter reviews each of these childhood-specific factors in turn. Commentary on the current state of the literature, its limitations, and recommendations for future research are offered throughout.