Study: Hostility May Damage Heart

Hostility May Predict Heart Disease More Than Other Risk Factors

If you tend to be hostile toward others, you may want to reconsider your negative attitude -- for your heart's sake.

New research found that hostility may be a better predictor of heart disease than traditional risk factors like high cholesterol, cigarette smoking and weight. The study is published in the November issue of Health Psychology.

The study, led by researcher Raymond Niaura at Brown Medical School in Providence, R.I., used a sample of nearly 800 white men with an average age of 60. Over a three-year period, researchers collected data on hostility and cholesterol levels, blood pressure, diet, alcohol intake, smoking, and other risk factors.

They found that men with higher levels of hostility had more instances of heart disease than those with other risk factors, such as high cholesterol, alcohol intake or smoking tobacco, Niaura said.

So what does hostility have to do with heart health?

The researchers said it could be that high hostility levels affect body mechanisms not measured in this study, like nervous system imbalances or hormones.

Additional Resource:

• Full Report (Adobe Acrobat required)

Previous Stories:

• November 14, 2002: Inflammation Worse Than Cholesterol For Heart
• November 12, 2002: FDA Approves First At-Home Defibrillator
• October 30, 2002: Heart Failure Survival Improves Since '50s
• October 30, 2002: 'Cool' New Procedure Helps Protect Heart
• October 23, 2002: Study: More Intense Exercise Benefits Heart
• September 24, 2002: Dwelling On Fights May Hurt Heart
• September 12, 2002: Heart Defect That Kills Athletes Under Study
• August 5, 2002: Inflammation Biggest Heart Risk Factor?
• August 1, 2002: Study: Extra Pounds Linked To Heart Failure
• July 25, 2002: Golfing Can Work The Heart Too Hard

Copyright 2002 by Channel4000.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.