Anger predicts long-term mortality in patients with myocardial infarction
Monday, August 29, 2011 - 10:30
in Psychology & Sociology
There is a growing awareness that psychological factors play a major role in triggering and modulating the progression of ischemic heart disease. Negative emotions such as hostility, anger, depression, anxiety and social isolation are cardio-toxic, whereas positive feelings characterized by imagination, empathy, and spiritual interests are cardio-protective. A type D (for Distress) personality is described as someone with the tendency to live negative emotions and experience strong inhibitions to express them, and has been associated with a special vulnerability to ischemic heart disease.