Trait antagonism and the progression of arterial thickening: women with antagonistic traits have similar carotid arterial thickness as men.
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.
Sutin
Angelina R
AR
National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and HumanServices, Baltimore, MD 21224. sutina@mail.nih.gov
Scuteri
Angelo
A
Lakatta
Edward G
EG
Tarasov
Kirill V
KV
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
Costa
Paul T
PT
Schlessinger
David
D
Uda
Manuela
M
Terracciano
Antonio
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol