The Effects of Subjective Wellbeing and Self-Rated Health on Lifetime Risk of Cardiovascular Conditions in Women

Abstract

Subjective wellbeing may predict future health conditions, and lower self-rated physical health (SRH) is associated with the presence of chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study examines whether subjective wellbeing and SRH predict long-term CVD conditions for women using the Midlife in the United States study. The study cohort includes 1716 women participants who completed waves 1 (1995–1996), 2 (2004–2006), and 3 (2013–2014). Data on demographics, chronic conditions of diabetes and CVD, subjective wellbeing (life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect), and SRH were collected repeatedly at each wave. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to test whether subjective wellbeing was associated with a lifetime CVD risk. Greater life satisfaction was significantly associated with a lower risk of CVD at 10 years (odds ratio (OR): 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74–0.95) and 19 years (OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.74–0.93), while positive and negative affects were not significantly associated. Additionally, better physical SRH significantly lowered odds of having cardiovascular conditions at both 10 years (OR: 0.79; 95% CI 0.68–0.92) and 19 years (OR 0.74; 95% CI: 0.64–0.86). Measures of life satisfaction and SRH can be used as additional CVD screening tools.