Well‐Being and Cardiovascular Health: Insights From the UK Biobank Study

Abstract

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading global health concern. Emerging evidence suggests a potential protective role of well‐being in reducing CVD risk. Methods and Results We conducted a cohort analysis using the UK Biobank data set, encompassing 121 317 participants. We assessed the well‐being of participants using a well‐being index derived from baseline questionnaires. Well‐being categories were derived by latent class analysis using general happiness and satisfaction with family, friendships, health, and finance situations. The relationship between well‐being and 4 major CVDs was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models and Mendelian randomization. The study also examined the impacts of well‐being on lifestyle factors and inflammatory markers, and its mediating role in the well‐being–CVD relationship. Higher well‐being was associated with a significantly reduced risk of various CVDs. Latent class analysis identified 4 distinct well‐being groups (low, variable, moderate‐to‐high, and high satisfaction), with higher satisfaction levels generally associated with lower risk of CVDs. Mendelian randomization suggested potential causal relationships between well‐being and reduced risk of CVDs. Participants with greater well‐being demonstrated healthier behaviors and lower levels of inflammatory markers. Mediation analysis indicated that lifestyle and inflammatory markers partially mediated the relationship between well‐being and CVDs. Conclusions This study demonstrates a robust inverse association between well‐being and the risks of CVDs, suggesting that enhancing well‐being may be a viable strategy for CVD prevention. The role of lifestyle factors and inflammation as a mediator provides insight into possible biological pathways linking psychological states and cardiovascular health.