Anger And Depression Predict Artery-Hardening Risks, Behavior.

2001 APR 26 - (NewsRx Network) -- A new study shows that depression and anger are associated with hardening of the arteries in women, in part, through physical and behavioral risk factors such as bad cholesterol levels, obesity, and smoking.

Among women, "there is evidence that psychosocial distress is prospectively associated with increased risk of disease and premature mortality from cardiovascular events," say Thomas Rutledge, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh and his associates. Their study's findings may help explain why.

These findings suggest that psychological factors may not only act as a red flag for potential heart disease risk, but may also offer methods for reducing heart risk through behavioral interventions.

The study showed that subjects with the most depression symptoms were 2.5 times more likely to smoke than subjects with the least depression symptoms. Depressed subjects were also less likely to exercise or be physically fit than non-depressed women.

Subjects who scored highest for outwardly displaying their anger were the most likely to have low levels of high-density lipoproteins and high levels of low-density lipoproteins. These women were also more likely to be overweight or obese.

Cynical hostility, defined as a consistent lack of trust and bitterness towards others, was also associated with atherosclerosis risk factors such as smoking, poor physical fitness, and lower HDL levels. The investigators initially detected an association ...