Family life and cardiovascular risk: implications for the prevention of chronic disease.

While individual life style has been related to increased risk for cardiovascular disease, as well as other chronic diseases, little attempt has been made to explore the influence of family life style upon risk factor development. This review examines findings from behavioral and epidemiological studies which suggest a relationship between family environmental factors and levels of risk characteristics. Concepts provided by a Family Systems Approach are used to direct attention to crucial family issues which influence this relationship in light of the potential for prevention of cardiovascular disease. We conclude that preventive approaches could be improved in three ways: by directing primary prevention efforts toward pre-school children within the context of their family, by directing adult intervention efforts toward consideration of their marital life style in relation to each risk factor, and by directing future research efforts toward clarifying the currently elusive relationship between family psychosocial factors and cardiovascular risk.