Heart attack and stroke risk higher in people with these personality traits

Worried man
-Credit:Getty


Individuals with certain personality traits may be at a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, researchers have warned. A study discovered that characteristics such as anxiety, mood fluctuations, and irritability are associated with early signs of heart ageing.

This research, published in the European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging, is the first to explore the connection between these traits and the heart's structure and function. The findings underscore the need for improved support in the UK, where it is estimated that one in six adults suffers from a common mental health disorder like depression or anxiety.

As part of the study, data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database containing genetic and health information from half a million people, was analysed. The team evaluated heart structure and function and compared them to neuroticism scores, which were based on unstable moods, excessive worrying, anxiousness, irritability, self-consciousness, and sadness.

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They examined over 30,000 cardiac MRI scans, along with neuroticism scores determined by a type of questionnaire regularly used in psychology to assess personality traits. As reported by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), it was found that a higher neuroticism score was linked to changes in the heart, including it being smaller and thicker.

"These characteristics cause the heart to pump less well and are typical of ‘older’ hearts," the charity explained. "They found this association after adjusting for other factors such as age, weight and smoking.

"The researchers also discovered that in women, a higher neuroticism score was associated with an altered texture of the heart muscle, which could indicate fibrosis – scarring of the heart tissue. In men, higher neuroticism scores were linked to increased stiffness in the aorta, the largest artery in the body that extends from the heart. These conditions are early indicators of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes."

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This insight builds on earlier research indicating that women with mental health issues are more prone to heart failure, while men with similar conditions face a heightened risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks.

Study lead Steffen Petersen, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London, commented on the findings: "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, associate medical director at the BHF, added: "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."