Spirituality associated with reduced cardiovascular outcomes and mortality from heart disease: an integrative review

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21680/2446-7286.2025v11n2ID39915

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. Of the 17 million deaths of individuals under the age of 70 due to chronic non-communicable diseases, 37% are caused by cardiovascular diseases. Thus, in the contemporary context, spirituality has emerged as a therapeutic mechanism for treating and improving the prognosis and quality of life of these cardiac patients. Objective: This study aims to analyze the relationship between spirituality and the reduction of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality from heart disease. Methodology: A qualitative, descriptive methodological approach was adopted through an integrative literature review in the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases. The guiding research question was: "What is the relationship between spirituality and the reduction of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality from heart disease?". The inclusion criteria included randomized or observational clinical trials between 2010 and 2023. Case reports, narrative or systematic reviews, study protocols and abstracts were excluded. The selection was made using the Rayyan tool. Results: Based on the articles selected, the results show that religiosity/spirituality has a positive impact on reducing the risk of mortality from all causes and psychiatric diseases, improving the quality of life of cardiac patients and promoting social integration, which is potentially related to greater longevity, healthier behaviors, better mental health and greater psychosocial well-being. Conclusion: Therefore, there is a relationship between religiosity/spirituality and reduced morbidity and mortality from heart failure and coronary heart disease.

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Author Biographies

Pandora Eloa Oliveira Fonseca, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Graduanda do curso de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande-UFCG.

Raissa Ramalho Rodrigues Fonsêca, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG

Graduada do curso de Medicina na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG).

Rafaelle Cavalcante de Lira, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande(UFCG), Cajazeiras, Paraíba, Brasil

Possui Bacharelado em Ciências Biológicas pela UFPB - Universidade Federal da Paraíba (2006). Mestrado em Genética pela UFPE - Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (2010). Doutorado em Ciências (Fisiopatologia Clínica e Experimental) pela UERJ - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (2017). Docente da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande-UFCG campus Cajazeiras. Professora pesquisadora do Grupo de Pesquisa Laboratório de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação em Saúde - LATICS / UFCG / CNPq. Atual Coordenadora administrativa do curso de Graduação em Medicina UFCG campus Cajazeiras.

Elisangela Vilar de Assis, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Cajazeiras, Paraíba, Brasil

Doutora em Ciências pela Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Mestre em Ciências da Nutrição pela Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Especialista em Fisioterapia em Terapia Intensiva pela ASSOBRAFIR, graduada em Fisioterapia pelo Centro Universitário de João Pessoa. Atualmente é professora da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG) do Centro de Formação de Professores/Campus Cajazeiras - PB. Professora da unidade curricular Anatomia Humana dos cursos de graduação em Medicina e Ciências Biológicas. Desenvolve pesquisa nas áreas das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, doenças respiratórias e tecnologias cuidativo-educacionais.

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Published

30-08-2025

How to Cite

FONSECA, Pandora Eloa Oliveira; FONSÊCA, Raissa Ramalho Rodrigues; LIRA, Rafaelle Cavalcante de; ASSIS, Elisangela Vilar de. Spirituality associated with reduced cardiovascular outcomes and mortality from heart disease: an integrative review. Revista Ciência Plural, [S. l.], v. 11, n. 2, p. 1–15, 2025. DOI: 10.21680/2446-7286.2025v11n2ID39915. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufrn.br/rcp/article/view/39915. Acesso em: 5 dec. 2025.

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2025): Revista Ciência Plural

Section

Revisão Integrativa

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