Socioemotional Factors and Cardiovascular Risk: What Is the Relationship in Brazilian Older Adults?

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular risk is composed of several modifiable factors that cannot be explained only at the individual level. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between socioemotional factors and cardiovascular risk in older adults. Research Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study with data from The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (Estudo Longitudinal de Saude dos Idosos Brasileiros, ELSI-Brazil), population based with data collected between 2015 and 2016. Cardiovascular risk-the study outcome-was assessed using the WHO/ISH Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Charts. The exposure variables were perceived social support from those who would receive help in situations and productive and leisurely social participation carried out in the last 12 months. We used crude and adjusted logistic regression for socioeconomic conditions, health conditions, and lifestyle habits to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the occurrence of the outcome. Results: There were 6,005 participants between 50 and 74 years old with complete data. Of these, 18.7% (95% CI: 16.9-20.6) had high cardiovascular risk. Being in the highest tertile of greater social participation is associated with a lower prevalence of high cardiovascular risk (OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50-0.95), adjusted for all variables, when compared to the lowest tertile. Furthermore, the absence of perceived social support is associated with a higher prevalence in different models. Perceived social support from close family members (son/daughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law) for material issues is associated with a higher prevalence, whereas having support from friends for affective resources is associated with a lower prevalence of high cardiovascular risk. Discussion and Implications: Socioemotional factors such as lack of perceived social support and social participation were significantly associated with cardiovascular risk. This suggested that the development of strategies aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk during aging needs to consider socioemotional factors and social relationships. Translational Significance: Cardiovascular disease is a public health problem responsible for economic expenses and social issues. Understanding that there is a relationship between psychosocial factors and cardiovascular risk allows the planning of coping policies that include collective strategies and emphasis on contextual factors. The results of the study allow the planning of public policies and intersectoral programs for healthy and active aging from a perspective of social relations, as well as contributing to an international agenda for the management of cardiovascular risk.