Hostility linked with higher risk of death after second heart attacks


Date:
September 14, 2020
Source:
European Society of Cardiology
Summary:
Heart attack patients who are sarcastic or irritable could be
putting their health at risk. 'Hostility is a personality trait
that includes being sarcastic, cynical, resentful, impatient
or irritable.'


FULL STORY ========================================================================== Heart attack patients who are sarcastic or irritable could be putting
their health at risk, according to research published today in the
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, a journal of the European
Society of Cardiology (ESC).


========================================================================== "Hostility is a personality trait that includes being sarcastic, cynical, resentful, impatient or irritable," said study author Dr. Tracey Vitori
of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, US. "It's not just a one-off occurrence but characterises how a person interacts with people. We know
that taking control of lifestyle habits improves the outlook for heart
attack patients and our study suggests that improving hostile behaviours
could also be a positive move." This was one of the largest and most comprehensive studies examining the relationship between hostility and
outcomes in heart attack patients. It was a secondary analysis of data
from the PROMOTION trial.

The study included 2,321 heart attack survivors. Hostility was measured at baseline using the Multiple Adjective Affect Checklist (MAACL). Patients
were followed for 24 months for recurrent heart attacks and death.

The average age of participants was 67 years and 68% were men. More than
half of the patients (57%) were scored as hostile according to the MAACL.

Hostility was an independent predictor of dying from a second heart attack after adjusting for other factors that could affect the relationship
including sex, age, education, marital status, diabetes, high blood
pressure, and smoking.

Dr. Vitori noted that hostility did not predict recurrent heart
attacks. She said: "Hostility has been linked with cardiovascular
disease since the 1950s, but we still don't fully understand why. Our
study shows that hostility is a common trait in heart attack survivors
and is associated with poor outcomes.

More research is needed on how this characteristic affects the body."
The paper states that anxiety and depression are emotional states
typically evaluated in patients with heart disease. Adding an assessment
of hostility may identify patients at risk for premature death. Educating patients on the potential impact of hostility could motivate behavioural changes.

Dr. Vitori said: "There is much cardiac patients can do to take control
of their own health. From a physical side -- smoking cessation, increase physical activity, and eat a balanced diet. Our study also indicates
that managing hostile behaviours could be important."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by European_Society_of_Cardiology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Tracey K Vitori, Susan K Frazier, Martha J Biddle, Gia Mudd-Martin,
Michele M Pelter, Kathleen Dracup, Debra K Moser. Hostility predicts
mortality but not recurrent acute coronary syndrome. European
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2020; 147451512095091 DOI:
10.1177/ 1474515120950913 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200914194029.htm

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