Domestic Violence, Psychosocial Stress, Socio-Economic Status and CVD Risk in Women

Many women experience at least one type (psychological, physical, sexual, and economic) of intimate partner violence (IPV) during their lifetime. Women who experience(d) IPV are at increased risk of developing CVD, therefore knowledge about IPV and how to address it during clinical consultation is important for healthcare professionals. In this chapter, we discuss the link between IPV and CVD via various pathways (e.g. risk behavior, stress, mental health issues, coping mechanisms, and injuries). Furthermore, we describe options for detecting, screening, and disclosure of IPV in the clinical context.