The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Cardiovascular Disease Risk: a Review with Emphasis on Plausible Mechanisms

Abstract

Childhood adversity, characterized by abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, is a problem that exerts a significant impact on individuals, families, and society. Growing evidence suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with health decline in adulthood, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the current review, we first provide an overview of the association between ACEs and CVD risk, with updates on the latest epidemiological evidence. Second, we briefly review plausible pathways by which ACEs could influence CVD risk, including traditional risk factors and novel mechanisms. Finally, we highlight the potential implications of ACEs in clinical and public health. Information gleaned from this review should help physicians and researchers in better understanding potential long-term consequences of ACEs and considering adapting current strategies in treatment or intervention for patients with ACEs.

Childhood and Adolescent Adversity and Cardiometabolic Outcomes: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

“…5,16,17 A recent systematic review found that childhood maltreatment was associated with CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemic heart disease, coronary heart disease) in 91.7% (22 of 24) of published studies. 16 Research has also examined the relation between childhood adversity and risk factors for cardiometabolic disease.…”

“…17 Children living in lower-SES households may be more vulnerable to adverse experiences because potential economic, social, and emotional resources necessary to cope with and manage these adverse experiences may not be available to them as a result of their disadvantaged position. However, existing studies have rarely examined the potential modifying effect of race/ethnicity or lower SES on childhood adversities and cardiometabolic health relation.…”

Racial Inequities in Cardiovascular Disease in New Zealand

“…If, as reported, social deprivation, abuse, neglect, household dysfunction and poverty remain risk factors for chronic disease in adulthood such as CVD then government policies must address this [80][81][82][83][84][85]. The right to health, for the state to provide the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, is not an unreasonable expectation of citizens of the state [85].…”

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

“…Auch für die kardiovaskuläre Regulation (Sartori et al 2016), aber ebenso für kardiovaskuläre Risikofaktoren wie das metabolische Syndrom konnten systematische Veränderungen epigenetischer Markierungen nachgewiesen werden (Park et al 2017 (Spitzer et al 2016;Su et al 2015). Dieser dosisabhängige Zusammenhang zwischen ACE und dem kardiovaskulären Gesundheitsstatus konnte ebenso bereits für Kinder und Jugendliche im Alter zwischen 11 und 14 Jahren nachgewiesen werden (Pretty et al 2013 …”