Combination of Personality Traits Increases Risk For Heart Disease
According to a study conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center and funded by the National Institutes of Health, frequent bouts of depression, anxiety, hostility and anger are known to increase a person's risk for developing coronary heart disease. A combination of these "negative" personality traits, however, may put people at even greater risk. "The risk of developing coronary heart disease due to a combination of negative personality traits in people has never before been explored," said the study's senior investigator, Edward C. Suarez, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry. "Although each of the negative traits significantly predicted heart disease, having the combination of these traits was the most powerful predictor of heart disease."
Similar patterns have been reported with three traditional risk factors of heart disease -- high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and excessive weight -- where each factor independently increases risk but their presence together predicts a greater risk of future heart disease.
According to researchers, these findings may cause physicians to include an assessment of personality traits as well as physical health measurements in determining a person's overall risk for heart disease. Researchers are currently designing a comprehensive intervention program to help people learn to cope with their feelings of hostility, anger, anxiety and depression as well as reduce their physical risk factors for heart disease. "We want to help people at earlier points in their life by teaching them ways to cope with problems and how to make wiser choices that promote health," Suarez said. "By helping them before they ever show clinical signs of heart disease, we may be able to help them avoid the disease altogether."
According to researchers, these findings may cause physicians to include an assessment of personality traits as well as physical health measurements in determining a person's overall risk for heart disease. Researchers are currently designing a comprehensive intervention program to help people learn to cope with their feelings of hostility, anger, anxiety and depression as well as reduce their physical risk factors for heart disease. "We want to help people at earlier points in their life by teaching them ways to cope with problems and how to make wiser choices that promote health," Suarez said. "By helping them before they ever show clinical signs of heart disease, we may be able to help them avoid the disease altogether."