Annotation:
In examining psychosocial and medical approaches, Stephen and Marmot first discuss how stress in different levels of socioeconomic statues are involved in coronary heart disease. They define stress as a reaction of an organism to their environment (pg. 2). They further explain two major changes that have occurred in coronary heart disease: the first change is the shift …show more content…
(pg. 5-6). However, the mortality rate of coronary heart disease, as well as cardiovascular disease, decreased in the United States. Moreover, the predominance of coronary heart disease in higher socioeconomic groups was thought to be caused by severe stress in their occupation—work and worry was the major cause of the disease (pg. 6). The similar notion can now be said for the lower socioeconomic class—except other factors could play a role in one’s stress. Further analysis was made with differences in socioeconomic groups and disease/illness. For instance, a survey of 20,000 individuals, age 35, was conducted and found that myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke were all more common among individuals living in lower income areas as compared with those living in higher economic areas (pg. 20). Socioeconomic position is also relate to early stages of developing cardiovascular disease. For instance, low income, labor work, and little education was related to higher severity and greater four year progression of carotid atherosclerosis (which is plague build up in the inner walls …show more content…
It was not fully discussed in the annotation, but both pieces agree that disease might occur from childhood experiences or early adulthood. This means that is we are healthier in our youth than perhaps we will be able to prevent heart disease later in life. Also, when talking about coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease is also discussed, meaning that there is some sort of relationship between both heart diseases—perhaps one leads to the other, or at least the chances of contracting one heart disease increases if one already has say coronary heart disease. Furthermore, it appears that we still cannot pinpoint of focus on specific factors that can lead to heart disease, meaning we still have a long way before we can actually prevent heart