People with specific personality traits could be at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to researchers. A study found that attributes such as anxiousness, mood swings and irritability, are linked to early signs of heart ageing.
The research, which was published in , was the first of its kind to investigate the relationship between these traits and the structure and function of the heart.
The results highlight the need for better support in the UK with around one in six adults thought to be affected by a common mental health disorder such as depression and anxiety.
As part of the study, the team analysed data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database containing genetic and health information from half a million people.
They assessed heart structure and function and compared them to neuroticism scores – which were based on unstable moods, excessive worrying, anxiousness, irritability, self-consciousness and sadness.
A study found that people with traits such as anxiety and irritability were linked to an aged heart (Image: Getty)
To do so they looked at more than 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 (BHF), it was 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,” the charity said. “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.”
This follows on from previous research that showed women with a mental health condition are more likely to develop heart failure. By comparison, men with a mental health condition are at greater risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks.
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Commenting on the results, study lead 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, 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.”