TY - JOUR
T1 - Trait antagonism and the progression of arterial thickening
T2 - Women with antagonistic traits have similar carotid arterial thickness as men
AU - Sutin, Angelina R.
AU - Scuteri, Angelo
AU - Lakatta, Edward G.
AU - Tarasov, Kirill V.
AU - Ferrucci, Luigi
AU - Costa, Paul T.
AU - Schlessinger, David
AU - Uda, Manuela
AU - Terracciano, Antonio
PY - 2010/10
Y1 - 2010/10
N2 - A large body of evidence links antagonism-related traits with cardiovascular outcomes, but less is known about how psychological traits are associated with intermediate markers of cardiovascular disease. Using a large, community-based sample from Sardinia, Italy (n=5614), this study examined how trait antagonism (low agreeableness) and its facets are associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness, a measure of arterial thickening. Controlling for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, low agreeableness and, in particular, low straightforwardness and low compliance, were associated with greater carotid thickening, measured concurrently and prospectively, and with increases in intima-media thickness over 3 years. Indeed, those in the bottom 10% of agreeableness had a 40% increase in risk for elevated intima-media thickness. Although men have thicker arterial walls, women with antagonistic traits had similar carotid thickening as antagonistic men. Antagonistic individuals, especially those who are manipulative and aggressive, have greater increases in arterial thickening, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
AB - A large body of evidence links antagonism-related traits with cardiovascular outcomes, but less is known about how psychological traits are associated with intermediate markers of cardiovascular disease. Using a large, community-based sample from Sardinia, Italy (n=5614), this study examined how trait antagonism (low agreeableness) and its facets are associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness, a measure of arterial thickening. Controlling for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, low agreeableness and, in particular, low straightforwardness and low compliance, were associated with greater carotid thickening, measured concurrently and prospectively, and with increases in intima-media thickness over 3 years. Indeed, those in the bottom 10% of agreeableness had a 40% increase in risk for elevated intima-media thickness. Although men have thicker arterial walls, women with antagonistic traits had similar carotid thickening as antagonistic men. Antagonistic individuals, especially those who are manipulative and aggressive, have greater increases in arterial thickening, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
KW - anger
KW - antagonism
KW - atherosclerosis
KW - intima-media thickness
KW - personality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77957243189&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77957243189&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.110.155317
DO - 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.110.155317
M3 - Article
C2 - 20713913
AN - SCOPUS:77957243189
VL - 56
SP - 617
EP - 622
JO - Hypertension
JF - Hypertension
SN - 0194-911X
IS - 4
ER -