Adverse childhood experiences related to subsequent myocardial infarction: A systematic review

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to systematically review existing research on the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subsequent risk of myocardial infarction (MI). A systematic review using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines was performed by searching four bibliographic databases. PubMed/Medline, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses were searched to obtain papers published between September 1, 2004 and August 31, 2019. A total of 14 articles met all eligibility criteria. The present systematic review suggests a strong correlation between ACEs and increased risk of MI in adulthood. Further research, nonetheless, is still needed to identify in more precise terms the mediating factors involved in the direct association between exposure to potentially traumatic situations during childhood or adolescence and the subsequent occurrence of ischemic heart disease.

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/26904586.2021.1970690 .

Keywords:

• Abuse
• cardiovascular diseases
• childhood adversity
• household dysfunction
• maltreatment
• myocardial infarction