(Trans‑)Generationale Weitergabe früher Traumatisierung auf das kardiovaskuläre System

Abstract

Traumatic experiences in childhood and adolescence, particularly the so-called man-made trauma, can increase the risk not only for mental but also for physical health impairments, depending on the duration and severity of the traumatization. This overview focuses on the special risk for the cardiovascular system (e. g. hypertension, coronary heart disease) in relation to early childhood adversities which are epidemiologically well documented. Chronic low-grade inflammation can be attributed for example to the origin of coronary heart disease due to early childhood trauma. Recent research is particularly concerned with the sequelae of generational and transgenerational transmission of own early traumatization and the underlying biological mechanisms. This review article describes the relationships and effects of early traumatization on own cardiovascular health and disease and on the subsequent generations. Thereby, not only the risk of cardiovascular diseases is illuminated but also those factors which could be protective by increasing resiliency and that low to moderately negative childhood experiences could even minimize the risk of cardiovascular diseases.