Zaštitni psihološki čimbenici za kardiovaskularne bolesti.

Within behavioral cardiology, the existence of psychological risks for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is known and scientifically proven. In the past 10 years research has focused on identifying the possible protective effects on cardiovascular health of positive psychological states and health characteristics in general. So far the following positive effects have been investigated: optimism, gratitude, spirituality, humour, general psychological well-being, vitality, sense of purpose, sense of self-worth, positive curiosity, joy, forgiveness, resilience and life satisfaction. It is anticipated that future research will go in the direction of: 1. determining specific protective psychological factors for CVD; 2. establishing mechanisms to assess the impact of these factors on the health of the heart and of the blood vessels; 3. developing appropriate interventions for the promotion and strengthening of these protective factors. In practice, such a focus on psychological states and characteristics of people will result in the need for new psychological measurement instruments (questionnaires, tests, etc.) and the need for new skills and techniques for the development of psychological resources to improve the positive potential of people. Ultimately it will be necessary to invent new strategies of primary and secondary prevention of CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]