Figure 1. Causal model whereby genes and environment affect brain systems responsible for expression of health behaviors, psychological traits and states, and neuroendocrine and autonomic functions that influence components of the body's internal milieu in ways that, over time, lead to the development of coronary heart disease.
Reproduced with permission from the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Volume 4 © 2008 by Annual Reviews, http://www.annualreviews.org 2 . CHD indicates coronary heart disease.