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Psychosocial Factors and Cardiovascular Disease

Several related psychosocial factors confer risk for the development of hypertension and coronary heart disease, and worsen prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease. Examples include depression, anxiety, low social support, and social determinants of health. Psychosocial factors are also implicated in patient self-management and ultimately, health outcomes. Research in the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Laboratory focuses on depression, anxiety, cognitive deficits, posttraumatic stress, low social support, and social determinants of health. Some of this research is conducted at local hospitals. We collaborate with investigators at the Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Department of Psychiatry, and faculty at Case Western Reserve University. The goal of this research program is to improve efforts to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases and associated psychosocial factors.

Recent publications include:

1. Hughes, J.W., Levin, J.B., Sajatovic, M, & Sclair, S.N. (2025). Semaglutide for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH): Estimating eligibility from the 2021–2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Hepatology Communications 9(12):e0860, December 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000860 
2. Hughes, J. W., Berry, R., Brown, T. M., Carlin, B., Drwal, K., Keteyian, S. J., ... & Wu, W. C. (2025). Consensus Statement on the Virtual and Remote Delivery of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Their Components. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 45(6), 387-396.
3. Reed, J. M., Dodson, T., Petrinec, A., Hughes, J., Miller, R. D. (2025). The HARMONEE Project: Using GenAI Images for Reminiscence with Older Adults in Long-Term Care.  Geriatric Nursing, 65, 1-7.
4. Sterns, A.A., Hughes, J.W., Grim, B., Larsen, L., Ma, F., Ranjan, R., MacMillan, C., Talbot, B. H., Friedman, J.H., & Muir, O. S. (2025). Detecting Tardive Dyskinesia Using Video-based Artificial Intelligence. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 86(3). doi:10.4088/JCP.25m15792
5. Gavrilova, L., Watson, M.C., Eshera, Y.M., Ridgel, A.L., & Hughes, J.W. (2024). Young black and white adults prefer in-person to telehealth for primary care visits and group health promotion programs. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 14(12), 738-743. 
6. Carlin, B. & Hughes, J.W. (2024). Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Refer Patients Earlier to Enhance Outcomes. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention. 44(3), 149.
7. Gathright, E. C., Hughes, J. W., Sun, S., Storlazzi, L. E., DeCosta, J., Balletto, B. L., ... & Salmoirago-Blotcher, E. (2024). Effects of stress management interventions on heart rate variability in adults with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1-15.  
8. Beatty A. L., Beckie T. M., Dodson J., Goldstein C. M., Hughes J. W., Kraus W. E., Martin S. S., Olson T. P., Pack Q. R., Stolp H., Thomas R. J., Wu W. C., Franklin B. A. (2023) A New Era in Cardiac Rehabilitation Delivery: Research Gaps, Questions, Strategies, and Priorities. Circulation. 147: 254-266.
9. Eshera, Y. M., Gavrilova, L., & Hughes, J. W. (2023). Sleep is Essential for Cardiovascular Health: An Analytic Review of the Relationship Between Sleep and Cardiovascular Mortality. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 15598276231211846.