Abstract
Background
The distressed (Type D) personality is associated with adverse coronary heart disease outcomes, but the mechanisms accounting for this association remain to be elucidated. We examined whether myocardial and hemodynamic responses to mental stress are disrupted in Type D patients with chronic heart failure (HF).
Methods
Ninety-nine HF patients (mean age 65 ± 12 years; 75% men) underwent a public speech task, during which heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Type D personality and its components negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) were assessed with the DS14. General linear models with repeated measures and logistic regression were used to assess differences in stress response and recovery.
Results
Type D personality was associated with a reduced HR response (F1,93 = 4.31, p < .05) independent of the use of beta adrenergic blocking agents and the presence of atrial fibrillation. There were no differences between HF patients with and without a Type D personality with respect to the BP response. Examining continuous NA and SI scores and their interaction (NA ∗ SI), revealed a significant association of NA ∗ SI with the SBP response (F1,93 = 4.11, p < .05), independent of BP covariates. Results with respect to HR and DBP responses were comparable to the findings using the dichotomous Type D measure. No significant associations between Type D and recovery patterns were found.
Conclusion
HF patients with Type D personality may show an inadequate response to acute social stress, characterized by a blunted HR response.
Highlights
► Type D heart failure patients show a blunted heart rate response to stress. ► Baseline levels of heart rate were higher in patients with Type D personality. ► There may be sex differences in the way Type D individuals respond to stress.
The distressed (Type D) personality is associated with adverse coronary heart disease outcomes, but the mechanisms accounting for this association remain to be elucidated. We examined whether myocardial and hemodynamic responses to mental stress are disrupted in Type D patients with chronic heart failure (HF).
Methods
Ninety-nine HF patients (mean age 65 ± 12 years; 75% men) underwent a public speech task, during which heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Type D personality and its components negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) were assessed with the DS14. General linear models with repeated measures and logistic regression were used to assess differences in stress response and recovery.
Results
Type D personality was associated with a reduced HR response (F1,93 = 4.31, p < .05) independent of the use of beta adrenergic blocking agents and the presence of atrial fibrillation. There were no differences between HF patients with and without a Type D personality with respect to the BP response. Examining continuous NA and SI scores and their interaction (NA ∗ SI), revealed a significant association of NA ∗ SI with the SBP response (F1,93 = 4.11, p < .05), independent of BP covariates. Results with respect to HR and DBP responses were comparable to the findings using the dichotomous Type D measure. No significant associations between Type D and recovery patterns were found.
Conclusion
HF patients with Type D personality may show an inadequate response to acute social stress, characterized by a blunted HR response.
Highlights
► Type D heart failure patients show a blunted heart rate response to stress. ► Baseline levels of heart rate were higher in patients with Type D personality. ► There may be sex differences in the way Type D individuals respond to stress.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 44-49 |
| Journal | International Journal of Psychophysiology |
| Volume | 90 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |