A rocky childhood could be bad for your heart
Traumatic childhood experiences may harm heart health later in life. Research shows that adults who experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as neglect; physical, sexual or emotional abuse; or witnessing violence at home had double the risk of cardiovascular disease and double the risk of an early death compared with people who didn’t experience any ACEs at all. But while the risk of cardiovascular disease rises among people with ACEs, lifestyle changes can still prevent health problems down the line.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Source matters. Subscribe to HarvardHealthOnline+ FREE for 30 days for unlimited access to the site – where all content is reviewed by an HMS physician or faculty expert.
With HHO+ you get these exclusive benefits:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
SPECIAL OFFER! UNLOCK EXPERT ACCESS for 30 days FREE!
Already a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
