Psychocardiology now and where the evidence promises to take us in the future: A summing up

The link between heart and mind is now so well established that it can no longer be considered a farfetched speculation; rather there is now a robust body of respectable empirical and clinical evidence which strongly asserts the nature of this relationship as both congruous and complimentary. It is now clear that strong emotional distress, whether in the context of acute or chronic stress or from mental illness, is commonly reciprocated by elevated risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increased cardiac morbidity and even cardiac mortality. The Handbook of Psychocardiology is the first fully comprehensive volume examining this now accepted heart/mind nexus. The book showcases a unique collaboration between research scientists and clinicians across the fields of behavioral medicine and psychology, neuroscience, cardiology, and psychiatry. It was by bringing together such a seemingly diverse and eclectic mix of scientists and practitioners that we have been able to fully highlight the commonalities and complimentary aspects of this relationship.