In a recent issue of Hypertension, an interesting paper has been published on the relationship between being antagonistic and having thicker arteries resulting in an increased risk for stroke and heart related illnesses. Apparently, the nicer you are and the more relaxed and trusting you are, clearer your arteries will be.
The 3 year study was carried out by researchers from the US and Italy on approximately 5,000 Sardinians. They wanted to find out how antagonism related to arterial thickening. The average age of the group was 42 but the group ranged from those aged 14-94 with over half of the group comprising of females.
At the outset, the group took a personality test which measured types and levels of agreeableness, including trust, straightforwardness, altruism, compliance, modesty and tender mindedness. They suggest that there is a relationship between having these traits and less risk for heart attack and stroke than those who do not possess these positive attributes. Well, we cannot change overnight but if it means that we can improve our cardiovascular health, maybe it is worth getting some rose tinted specs.