Abstract

PURPOSE
This study explored cardiovascular health (CVH), depressive symptoms, and well-being among community-based Korean women according to hwa-byung (HB) symptoms.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study measured HB symptoms, depressive symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and spiritual well-being (SWB) in addition to biophysical indicators of CVH.
RESULTS
Fourteen women of the HB group are more likely to live alone with lower income than 36 women in the comparison group. Compared to the comparison group, the HB group has larger mean waist circumference and higher prevalence of abdominal obesity along with more knee arthritis and back pain. Although women in the HB group appeared worse in other CVH than their counterparts, this was not statistically significant. It is noteworthy, that the HB group showed a higher probability of having a hard cardiovascular event (CVE) within 10 years than the comparison group. Women in the HB group reported more depressive symptoms, poor QoL, and low SWB as well as smoking and sleep difficulties.
CONCLUSION
Despite the small sample size, significant relationships of HB symptoms to abdominal obesity, the probability of a hard CVE within 10 years, and psychosocial health were found. Strategies for effective community-based cardiovascular programs for Korean women may include HB screening and/or management.