Abstract
Introduction: Positive emotional well-being (PEWB) is an aspect of emotional health that may be associated with cardiovascular health. The present study examines the relationship between PEWB and several cardiovascular biomarkers: blood pressure (BP), HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), ratio of TC to HDL cholesterol, and a composite measure of cardiovascular risk.
Methods: Data were from a nationwide survey of adults (N= 2295, participants for whom BP was collected; N =1605 for whom HDL cholesterol were collected; N=1701 for whom TC was collected; N=1423 for whom TC divided by HDL cholesterol could be calculated; and N=1359 for whom a cardiovascular risk composite could be calculated.). Two aspects of PEWB were assessed: positive affect and life satisfaction. Blood pressure was collected during in-person sessions and cholesterol was analyzed via bloodspot from a finger-prick. The mediating role of health behaviors (smoking, alcohol, BMI, and moderate exercise) was also examined.
Results: Both positive affect and life satisfaction were significantly, negatively related to the composite cardiovascular risk score and diastolic BP when controlling for demographic variables, BMI, depression, and Hemoglobin A1c. Additionally, positive affect (but not life satisfaction) was significantly related to higher levels of HDL cholesterol. No significant relationships were found between either PEWB variable and systolic BP, TC, or the ratio of TC divided by HDL. BMI most consistently mediated the significant relationships between PEWB and cardiovascular risk/biomarkers. Moderate exercise mediated the relationship between life satisfaction and cardiovascular risk.
Discussion: This study adds to previous literature documenting a significant relationship between PEWB and cardiovascular risk and several related biomarkers. Assessing aspect of individuals’ emotional well-being such as positive affect and life satisfaction may be helpful in gaining a better understanding of an individuals’ mental health, quality of life, and cardiovascular risk.