Background: Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human body. The impact of psychological factors on the immune system and the role of this system in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) are confirmed. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is arisen due to the failure of blood and oxygen to the heart tissues.
Aim: The present study aimed to describe psychoneuroimmunological processes which contribute to CAD and CHD progression.
Method: Such psychological risk factors like stress, depression and type D personality were investigated here. Psychoneuroimmunological pathways of all three mentioned risk factors were described for CAD.
Results: The studies review indicated that stress could be accompanied with myocardial ischemia and help to rupture. The depression involves in the transfer of stable atherosclerotic plaque to unstable, and type D personality is effective in the initial stages of a CAD.
Conclusion: As more information on cardiovascular immunity becomes available, this will provide a better understanding and thus act as the foundation for the potential development of new treatment strategies for treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD); Depression; Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI); Stress; Type D Personality.