How being sarcastic could kill you: Scientists reveal heart attack survivors with 'hostile traits' are more likely to die from a repeat event
- University of Tennessee researchers tracked 2,300 heart attack survivors
- Those with hostile traits were more likely to die of a second attack, study found
- Emotional state of being consistently negative may put a strain on their health
- And those who are hostile to others are less likely to look after their wellbeing
Sarcastic and irritable people may be putting their heart in danger, research suggests.
A
study of 2,300 heart attack survivors in the US found those who
displayed hostile character traits - including sarcasm, cynicism,
resentment, impatience or irritability - were at much greater risk of
dying of a second attack within the next two years.
Researchers believe this may be because the emotional state of being consistently negative puts a strain on their health.
Those
who are hostile to others are also less likely to look after their own
wellbeing - and more likely to smoke, drink and have poor lifestyle and
diet.
The researchers, from the University of Tennessee in the US, tracked 2,321 heart attack survivors.
Hostility was measured at the beginning of the study using a personality test and the patients were then followed for 24 months.
At the end of the two years the
participants' survival rates were compared to their personality scores,
and hostility could be accurately used to predict someone's chance of
dying of a repeat heart attack.
The
researchers, writing in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing,
said someone's character could impact the heart; through both behavioral
and psychological mechanisms'.
'Hostile
individuals have increased clotting times, higher adrenaline levels,
above normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and increased cardiac
reactivity,' they said.
Read More: Daily Mail
Read More: Daily Mail
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