Matters of the Heart and Soul: The Mixed Impact of Religiosity and Spirituality on the Cardiovascular Risk Profile Over Time

The study examined the impact of religiosity and spirituality on cardiovascular health in 6,844 adults aged 50 and older from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. The research tracked behavioral factors (smoking, exercise, alcohol consumption, and fruit and vegetable intake) and biological markers (blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and inflammatory markers). Results showed mixed effects: greater spirituality, daily prayer, and participation in organized religion were associated with lower fibrinogen levels and higher fruit and vegetable consumption. Conversely, frequent attendance at religious services and importance of faith were linked to lower physical activity and higher blood sugar levels. No independent associations were found with C-reactive protein or blood pressure.