Impact of psychological correlates, Social isolation and loneliness on the management and self care behaviors of Cardio-vascular Disease after COVID- 19 Pandemic

Abstract

The present research paper examines the impact of psychological correlates (stress, anxiety and depression), social isolation and loneliness in the management and self care behaviors of cardiovascular disease after Covid 19 pandemics. According to World Heart Federation 2023 report shows that more than half a billion people around the world continue to be affected by cardiovascular diseases, which accounted for 20.5 million deaths in 2021 – close to a third of all deaths globally and an overall increase on the estimated 121 million CVD deaths. Over three quarters of Cardiovascular disease deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries. Out of the 17 million premature deaths (under the age of 70) due to non-communicable diseases in 2019 (World Health Organization), 38% were caused by cardiovascular diseases. Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing psychologically, socially, behavioral and environmental risk factors such as anxiety, anger, stress, depression, social isolation, loneliness, tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and air pollution. Anxiety is associated with a variety of physical and psychological symptoms that can negatively impact the health outcome. Anxiety can lead to increased blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, which can contribute to the development and progression of Cardio vascular disease. Psychological interventions can help individuals with Cardio vascular disease better cope with the disease, improve their quality of life, and reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes. It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible for the management and prevention of it. Research involves 300 participants with cardiovascular disease during 2021 to 2024. The data was collected by the participant of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh visited to the private clinics and hospital for their routine checkups. Using standardized questionnaire following information was gathered i.e. Demographic, biomedical information, anxiety, depression, stress, as well as feelings of social isolation and loneliness, self health care inventory for cardio vascular disease and their lifestyle related information for preventing from the diseases. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and one way ANOVA. The results revealed a significant relationship with psychological correlates, social isolation and loneliness in the management and care of cardiovascular diseases participants after Covid 19 pandemic. The results of the study are fruitful for Health Care Professionals and Health Care Providers for the management of cardiovascular diseases; also it’s useful for Ministry of Health to make a policy related to the control the death rate which is caused due to cardiovascular diseases. Hence it is important to "Identifying sustainable ways to work with communities to take action to prevent and control modifiable risk factors for heart disease is essential for reducing the global burden of heart disease," said George A. Mensah, MD, FACC, director of the Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science at the NHLBI.