Being irritable and anxious harms your heart by aging it prematurely, research suggests
Grumpy people and those who worry constantly are more likely to have a bad heart, new research suggests.
Personality traits such as anxiety and irritability have been linked to early signs of heart aging, according to a study.
Experts say the findings show that people at risk of developing mental health conditions could benefit from more support in an effort to reduce the risk of heart problems in the future.
To investigate the link between mental health and heart function, a team led by Queen Mary University of London looked at heart scans from 36,309 people.
Personality traits classified as ‘neuroticism’ – such as unstable moods, excessive worry, anxiety, irritability, self-consciousness and sadness – were scored using a personality questionnaire.
Researchers found that a “greater tendency toward neuroticistic personality traits” was associated with “smaller, poorer functioning ventricles with lower LV (left ventricular) mass, higher myocardial fibrosis, and higher arterial stiffness.”
Grumpy people and people who worry all the time are more likely to have a bad heart, new research shows (Stock Image)
Personality traits such as anxiety and irritability have been linked to early signs of heart aging, according to a study
Participants were members of the UK Biobank study.
The association was found independently of traditional risk factors for heart problems, such as smoking and obesity, and was ‘more robust’ in men than in women.
The team said the findings, published in European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Imaging, ‘highlight the link between mental health and cardiovascular health’ and support strategies that promote mental wellbeing in the general population.
Steffen Petersen, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London, added: ‘We know there are important links between mental health and cardiovascular outcomes, and our study has revealed that harmful changes in the heart are seen in people with neurotic personality traits. such as anxiety, depression and excessive worry.
‘Even when lifestyle factors such as smoking, weight and age are taken into account, neurotic traits appear to be linked to signs of cardiac aging.’
Professor Petersen said his team will now try to understand how these personality treatments affect heart function and the risk of heart disease in the long term.
James Leiper, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘We know that living with a mental illness can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and this important research shows that certain personality traits – which can be early signs of mental illness health problems – can lead to changes in the heart that are synonymous with heart aging.
‘This study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to be aware that patients who may be at risk of mental health conditions may benefit from support to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
‘As psychiatric diagnoses become more common, we hope that future research will further explore these links.
‘If you would like to make lifestyle changes to improve your physical and mental wellbeing, speak to your GP. They can help you find ways to care for your heart that are right for you.”