Science
Research reveals certain personality traits linked to higher risk of heart attack and stroke
Research funded by the us has revealed that certain personality traits, such as anxiousness, mood swings and irritability, referred to in the research as neurotic traits, are associated with early signs of heart ageing.
The study, published in European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging, is the first of its kind to investigate the relationship between these traits and the structure and function of the heart. The findings suggest that people with these traits may benefit from extra support and monitoring to help reduce their risk of heart disease.
Mental health diagnoses are becoming more common, with one in six adults in the UK having a common mental health disorder such as depression and anxiety. Mental health conditions can have a range of causes, and for a lot of people there can be a complicated combination of factors that are not necessarily within their control. Previous research has observed associations between mental health conditions and poor heart health, however little is known about how or why these links occur, and the underlying mechanisms at play.
Researchers led by Professor Steffen Petersen at Queen Mary University of London analysed data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing genetic and health information from half a million UK participants. In the study, neurotic traits were defined as unstable moods, excessive worrying, anxiousness, irritability, self-consciousness and sadness. The team assessed heart structure and function, looking at over 30,000 cardiac MRI scans, along with neuroticism scores determined by a type of questionnaire regularly used in psychology to assess personality traits.
Typical of ‘older’ hearts
The team found that having a higher neuroticism score was associated with changes to the heart, including it being smaller and thicker. These characteristics cause the heart to pump less well and are typical of ‘older’ hearts. They found this association after adjusting for other factors such as age, weight and smoking.
The researchers also found that in women, having a higher neuroticism score was linked to altered texture of the heart muscle, which could be a sign of fibrosis – scarring of the heart tissue. Men with higher neuroticism scores experienced more stiffness in the aorta, the biggest artery in the body that goes directly from the heart. All of these are early markers of adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and stroke.
The findings build on previous research showing that women with a mental health condition are more likely to develop heart failure, and men with a mental health condition are at greater risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks.
Researchers hope these findings will encourage GPs and medical professionals to be vigilant in monitoring factors that influence heart health in patients with these traits. Ensuring these patients are supported to keep active, manage their weight and stop smoking, could be crucial in helping reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke.
Harmful changes to the heart
Steffen Petersen, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Queen Mary University of London, said: “We know there are important links between mental health and cardiovascular outcomes, and our study has uncovered that harmful changes to the heart are seen in people with neurotic personality traits such as anxiety, depression and excessive worrying. Even when lifestyle factors, like smoking, weight and age, are taken into consideration, neurotic traits appear to be linked to signs of heart ageing.
“Next we hope to understand exactly how these traits alter how the heart functions, and how they impact risk of heart conditions in the long term.”
Professor James Leiper, our Associate Medical Director, said: “We know that living with a mental health condition can increase the risk of heart and circulatory diseases, and this important research shows that certain personality traits – which can be early signs of mental health conditions – can lead to changes to the heart that are synonymous with heart ageing.
“This study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to be mindful that patients who may be at risk of mental health conditions, may benefit from support to help lower risk of heart conditions. With mental health diagnoses becoming increasingly common, we hope future research will investigate these links further. If you’re looking to make lifestyle changes to improve your physical and mental wellbeing, speak to your GP, as they can help you find ways to look after your heart that suit you.”