Using 2005 California Health Interview Survey data, researchers examined the risk factors of serious psychological distress (SPD) and behavioral factors for heart disease separately stratified as young (18–44 years), middle aged (45–64 years), and elderly (65 years or older).

For young adults, SPD and higher federal poverty level (FPL) were associated with an increased risk of heart disease while for middle-aged adults, SPD, past smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, male, and unemployment were associated with an increased risk of heart disease. In addition, SPD, past smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, male, unemployment, White, and lower FPL were associated with an increased risk of heart disease in elderly. The study's findings indicate that risk factors for heart disease vary across all ages. Intervention strategies that target risk reduction of heart disease may be tailored accordingly.