Higher resting heart rate variability predicts skill in expressing some emotions

Vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) is a measure of cardiac vagal tone, and is widely viewed as a physiological index of the capacity to regulate emotions. However, studies have not directly tested whether vmHRV is associated with the ability to facially express emotions. In extending prior work, the current report tested links between resting vmHRV and the objectively assessed ability to facially express emotions, hypothesizing that higher vmHRV would predict greater expressive skill. Eighty healthy women completed self‐reported measures, before attending a laboratory session in which vmHRV and the ability to express six emotions in the face were assessed. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a marginal main effect for vmHRV on skill overall; individuals with higher resting vmHRV were only better able to deliberately facially express anger and interest. Findings suggest that differences in resting vmHRV are associated with the objectively assessed ability to facially express some, but not all, emotions, with potential implications for health and well‐being.     

精神分裂症患者情绪认知缺陷及其与精神症状的相关性

目的 探讨精神分裂症患者的情绪认知活动及其与精神症状的相关性.方法 采用中国人面孔情绪测验(CFET)对61例精神分裂症患者进行测试,与57名正常健康者比较,同时作阳性症状量表(SAPS)和阴性症状量表(SANS)评定.结果 分裂症患者CFET6种情绪认知正确数评分均低于对照组,而远隔错误数评分除厌恶情绪外均显著高于对照组.患者CFET评分与诊断分型、住院次数、用药无关,但SAPS和SANS部分症状评分与CFET的正确数评分呈负相关,而与CFET的错误数评分呈正相关.结论 分裂症患者情绪认知损害较为广泛,在病程过程中相对稳定存在,可能与患者广泛脑区网络功能障碍有关.而患者的症状表现与情绪认知缺陷可能存在共同的病理生理基础.     

Emotion traits in older suicide attempters and non-attempters

BACKGROUND: Emotion is a flourishing area of cross-disciplinary research that can inform traditional approaches to psychopathology. The present study examines emotion traits associated with attempted suicide in a depressed older sample. METHODS: Seven emotion traits were compared in depressed inpatients, age 50 years or older, who either had made a suicide attempt after age 50 (n=47) or had never made a suicide attempt (n=38) as assessed by self-report and a review of available medical records. RESULTS: In univariate analyses controlled for age and sex, late-life suicide attempters were lower in Warmth and Positive Emotions than non-attempters. However, only lower Anxiety was associated with attempter status when all seven emotion traits were included as predictors. Of the attempters, those who had made a greater number of attempts reported lower Positive Emotions and higher Anger/Hostility and Guilt, though only lower Positive Emotions had a significant effect independent of the other emotions. In a subsample of 41 patients whose index admission was precipitated by an attempt, lower Anger/Hostility was associated with higher intent to die, and lower Anger/Hostility and lower Guilt was associated with higher lethality of method. LIMITATIONS: The assessments of emotion traits may have been colored by transient moods, including, for the recent attempters, moods associated with the aftermath of their attempt. Participants who completed the key measures may not be representative of older attempters. CONCLUSIONS: Emotion traits are associated with suicidal behavior in older depressed patients, and the specific type of emotion and the direction of its association depends on the specific suicide variable examined. Emotion traits may be helpful in assessing suicide risk.     

The significance of high sensitive C reactive protein as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Several prospective studies have indicated that an elevated high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level is a risk factor for CVD. These results were also confirmed by prospective studies in Japan both for primary and secondary prevention. A randomized control study using statins also revealed that lower levels of both LDL cholesterol and hs-CRP were independently related to the incidence of CVD. Recent meta-analysis revealed that hs-CRP was a risk factor not only for CVD but for other diseases including cancers. It revealed that the absolute value of hs-CRP varied among the study populations. The mechanism of how hs-CRP is associated with the pathogenesis of CVD is not fully understood. Generally, inflammation in the vascular wall and the release of inflammatory cytokines from macrophages was considered to the main mechanism, but infection with such as chlamydia or Helicobacter pylori, and periodontal disease have been postulated as the causes of systemic inflammation. Recently, visceral fat accumulation and its cross-interaction with inflammatory cells have been proposed as the cause of systemic inflammation as "innate inflammation". Our original cross sectional studies also showed the correlations of hs-CRP with BMI and triglyceride. Although there is no specific therapy for the reduction of hs-CRP, we have to consider hs-CRP as a risk factor for CVD which complements other classical risk factors.     

Mindfulness as a moderator in expressive writing

Randomized, controlled studies have documented positive physical and psychological effects of writing about traumatic stress. Some of these studies have shown that individual differences play an important role, with participants responding differently to the intervention based on their personal characteristics. In the present expressive writing experiment, the trait of mindfulness was examined as a potential moderator. Seventy-six undergraduates were randomly assigned to either expressive writing (n = 37) or a control group (n = 39). Main effects favoring expressive writing were found, and these were qualified by significant interactions with mindfulness. Specifically, individuals with higher mindfulness scores responded better to expressive writing, experiencing greater physical and psychological benefits than individuals with lower mindfulness scores.     

The relationship of trauma exposure to heart rate variability during wake and sleep in midlife women

Traumatic experiences are common and linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, yet the mechanisms underlying these relationships is less well understood. Few studies have examined trauma exposure and its relation to autonomic influence over cardiac function, a potential pathway linking trauma exposure to CVD risk. Investigating autonomic influence over cardiac function during both wake and sleep is critical, given particular links of sleep autonomic function to cardiovascular health. Among midlife women, we tested whether trauma exposure would be related to lower high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), an index of vagal influence over cardiac function, during wake and sleep. Three hundred and one nonsmoking midlife women completed physical measures, a 24-hr electrocardiogram, actigraphy sleep measurement, and questionnaires about trauma (Brief Trauma Questionnaire), childhood abuse (Child Trauma Questionnaire [CTQ]), mood, demographics, and medical/psychiatric history. Relations between trauma and HF-HRV were assessed in linear mixed effects models adjusting for covariates (age, race, education, body mass index, blood pressure, psychiatric history, medication use, sleep, mood, childhood abuse history). Results indicated that most women had experienced trauma. Any trauma exposure as well as a greater number of traumatic experiences were associated with lower HF-HRV during wake and particularly during sleep. Relations were not accounted for by covariates. Among midlife women, trauma exposure was related to lower HF-HRV during wake and sleep. Trauma may have an important impact on vagal influence over the heart, particularly during sleep. Decreased vagal influence over cardiac function may be a key mechanism by which trauma is associated with CVD risk.     

Cardiovascular risk factors and disease in general practice: results of the Nijmegen Cohort Study.

The relationship between risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD) was determined using data from the Nijmegen Cohort study, an 18-year prospective study. In 1977, cardiovascular risk factors were measured in 7092 Caucasian males and females from six general practices: age, smoking, serum cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index and a family history of CVD were related to subsequent CVD mortality and morbidity. Most patients had more than one risk factor in particular among men. A significant relationship between risk factors and CVD was demonstrated. In men, a relative risk (RR) of 1.8 was found for both high blood pressure and smokers. A positive family history yielded a RR of 1.8. The risk increased gradually with the number of risk factors; 38% of the group with all risk factors suffered a CVD within 18 years. In women, comparable RRs were found but the low absolute risk of CVD should indicate against the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors.     

Social encounters in daily life and 2-year changes in metabolic risk factors in young women

Research shows that poor social ties increase risks of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about the nature of everyday social encounters that give rise to this association, or when in the course of development they begin to shape disease-relevant biological processes. In this study, 122 adolescent females recorded the qualities of their everyday social interactions using electronic diaries. At the same time we measured components of the metabolic syndrome, a precursor to CVD that includes central adiposity, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and lipid dysregulation. Metabolic symptoms were reassessed 12 and 24 months later. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed an association between negative social interactions and metabolic symptom trajectories. To the extent that participants had more intense negative social encounters in daily life, they showed increasing scores on a composite indicator of metabolic risk over 2 years. This association was independent of a variety of potential confounders, and persisted when symptoms of depression and broader personality traits were controlled. There was no association between positive social encounters and metabolic risk trajectories. These findings suggest that even in otherwise healthy adolescents, abrasive social encounters may accelerate the progression of early stages of CVD.     

Associations of Insomnia Symptoms With Blood Pressure and Resting Heart Rate: The HUNT Study in Norway

Objective: Although elevated heart rate and blood pressure might represent biologically plausible links for the association of insomnia symptoms with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), few large studies have investigated the associations of insomnia symptoms with these factors. Our aim was to investigate the associations of self-reported insomnia symptoms with systolic and diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate in a large population-based study. Participants: Self-reported information on insomnia symptoms, including sleep initiation problems, frequent awakening and early awakenings during night, and measurements of resting heart rate and blood pressure were collected from a total of 50,806 men and women who participated in the third wave of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT-3) in 2006–2008. Methods: In multivariable analyses, we adjusted for sociodemographic factors, lifestyle factors, established CVD risk factors, and snoring or breathing pauses. Results: Compared to participants reporting none of the insomnia symptoms, those having all three insomnia symptoms several times a week had lower diastolic blood pressure (–0.80 [95% CI: –1.47 to –0.14] mmHg, p = 0.02), lower systolic blood (–1.69 [95% CI: –2.76 to –0.63) mmHg, p < 0.001), and higher resting heart rate (0.83 [95% CI: 0.11 to 1.55] beats/minute, p = 0.02). Conclusions: We found a modest positive association of insomnia symptoms with resting heart rate, and a modest inverse association of insomnia with blood pressure. However, the actual differences were small, and likely of less clinical importance. Prospective studies are needed to establish whether the potential link between insomnia and CVD is mediated through changes in heart rate and/or blood pressure.     

Challenges in reducing depression-related mortality in cardiac populations: cognition,emotion, fatigue or personality?

Abstract

Depression is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in cardiac patients post-event; however treatment of psychological symptoms has failed to reduce cardiovascular risk. We explore depression and related constructs in terms of construct overlap and intervention potential. Certain depressive symptoms may be more important than others for increasing risk. Depressive cognitions may have lesser importance than somatic symptoms, but there is potential for designing interventions based on distorted illness perceptions. Somatic depressive symptoms and vital exhaustion are associated with increased risk. However, these symptoms may be more indicative of cardiovascular disease severity. A global tendency towards negative affectivity could account for the associations seen with negative affect states, with those of Type D personality demonstrating especially high levels of risk for morbidity/mortality. Positive emotion is associated with better outcomes, and could provide clues of how to intervene with negative emotion. Construct overlap and a dearth of theoretically based studies remain significant challenges. Future research needs to encompass all relevant variables to identify the key symptoms or symptom constellations that increase cardiovascular risk. A more sophisticated understanding of these issues can lead to more precise pinpointing of the ‘cardiotoxic’ aspects of psychological status, and ultimately to more refined interventions.     

A simple risk score using routine data for predicting cardiovascular disease in primary care

Background

Population-based screening for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, incorporating blood tests, is proposed in several countries.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a simple approach to identifying individuals at high risk of CVD using routine data might be effective.

Design of study

Prospective cohort study (EPIC-Norfolk).

Setting

Norfolk area, UK.

Method

A total of 21 867 men and women aged 40–74 years, who were free from CVD and diabetes at baseline, participated in the study. The discrimination (the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [aROC]), calibration, sensitivity/specificity, and positive/negative predictive value were evaluated for different risk thresholds of the Framingham risk equations and the Cambridge diabetes risk score (as an example of a simple risk score using routine data from electronic general practice records).

Results

During 203 664 person-years of follow-up, 2213 participants developed a first CVD event (10.9 per 1000 person-years). The Cambridge diabetes risk score predicted CVD events reasonably well (aROC 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.71 to 0.73), while the Framingham risk score had the best predictive ability (aROC 0.77; 95% CI = 0.76 to 0.78). The Framingham risk score overestimated risk of developing CVD in this representative British population by 60%.

Conclusion

A risk score incorporating routinely available data from GP records performed reasonably well at predicting CVD events. This suggests that it might be more efficient to use routine data as the first stage in a stepwise population screening programme to identify people at high risk of developing CVD before more time- and resource-consuming tests are used.     

Social mobility by marriage and risk of cardiovascular disease among adults in Southwestern Poland

Background: The social position of a husband or wife can influence the health status of the individual and his/her partner. Also, social position can change over time as a result of education, job, income, marriage and/or divorce.

Aim: To examine the association of mobility by marriage based on educational discrepancy between spouses and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Polish men and women of 40–50 years of age.

Subjects and methods: The sample included 394 married men and 453 married women of 40–50 years of age. All were residents of Wroc?aw located in southwestern Poland. Risk of CVD was assessed with the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). The sex-specific effect of social mobility on CVD risk (FRS) was tested by multiple regression analyses.

Results: Among Polish married men and women, social mobility by marriage had a significant association with risk of CVD. Downwardly mobile men and women had a higher risk of CVD, while upwardly mobile men and women had a lower risk of CVD compared with individuals from homogamous marriages. The sole exception to this trend was poorly educated men among whom marriage with a better educated wife did not affect CVD risk.

Conclusion: Social mobility by marriage influences CVD risk. The results provide additional insights for studies examining socioeconomic differentials in CVD risk.     

High levels of cynical distrust partly predict premature mortality in middle-aged to ageing men

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cynical distrust on mortality in middle-aged and aging men. The analysis is based on Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease study, follow-up from 1984 to 2011. Sample consisted of 2682 men, aged 42–61 years at baseline. Data on mortality was provided by the National Death Registry, causes of death were classified by the National Center of Statistics of Finland. Cynical distrust was measured at baseline using Cynical Distrust Scale. Survival analyses were conducted using Cox regression models. In crude estimates after 28 years of follow-up, high cynical distrust was associated with 1.5–1.7 higher hazards for earlier death compared to low cynical distrust. Adjusted for conventional risk factors, high cynical distrust was significantly associated regarding CVD-free men and CVD mortality, while non-CVD mortality in study sample was consistently but not significantly associated. The risk effects were more expressed after 12–20 years rather than in earlier or later follow-up. To conclude, high cynical distrust associates with increased risk of CVD mortality in CVD-free men. The associations with non-CVD mortality are weaker and not reach statistical significance.     

Anxiety, depression, psychotropic drug use and cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown that anxiety and depression are related to cognitive impairment, but the concomitant association between anxious symptoms, depressive symptoms and cognitive function has not been investigated, and, most studies have not considered psychotropic drug use as a possible confounding factor. METHODS: We assessed the independent association between depression, anxiety, psychotropic drug use and cognitive performance in 457 men and 659 women, aged 59-71 years living in the community. Data on demographic background, occupation, medical history, drug use and personal habits were obtained using a standardized questionnaire. The Spielberger Inventory Trait and the Center for Epidemiologic Study-Depression (CES-D) scales were used to evaluate anxious and depressive symptomatology respectively. Cognitive assessment included six traditional tests covering the main areas of cognitive functioning. RESULTS: In men, anxious and depressive symptomatologies had independent significant associations with most cognitive abilities, independent of psychotropic drug use. In women, the association between anxiety or depression and cognitive functioning was less strong and disappeared after adjustment for psychotropic drug use. Psychotropic drug use was associated with lower cognitive scores in both sexes. In men with high CES-D scores, we found positive correlations between anxiety level and cognitive scores. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that anxiety, depression and psychotropic drug use were significantly and independently associated with cognitive functioning in elderly men. The high prevalence of psychotropic drug use in women with or without psychological disorders may explain its major effect in women. Results suggested that anxiety may partly compensate for some negative effects of depression on cognitive functioning.     

大学生中庸思维在情绪调节和情绪间的作用

目的探讨大学生情绪调节、中庸思维与情绪状态间的关系。方法通过收集369份在校大学生的量表结果,其中包括情绪调节问卷、中庸信念/价值量表、正负情绪检核表。结果①认知重评与正性情绪正相关、与负性情绪负相关,表达抑制与负性情绪正相关(r=0.259～0.159,P>0.05);中庸思维与认知重评有显著正相关,与负性情绪有显著负相关(r=0.312,0.160;P>0.05);②中庸思维在认知重评与情绪之间没有起到显著的调节作用,在表达抑制与负性情绪之间起到了显著的负调节作用(β=-0.114,P>0.05),中庸思维程度较高时表达抑制与负性情绪无显著相关(r=0.107,P>0.05),中庸思维程度较低时表达抑制与负性情绪显著正相关(r=0.225,P>0.01)。结论中庸思维使个体倾向使用认知重评的情绪调节,较高的中庸思维程度不易受到表达抑制的负面影响。     

Timing effects of antecedent- and response-focused emotion regulation strategies

Distraction and cognitive reappraisal influence the emotion-generative process at early stages and have been shown to effectively attenuate emotional responding. Inhibiting emotion-expressive behavior is thought to be less beneficial due to later implementation, but empirical results are mixed. Thus, the current study examined the temporal dynamics of these emotion regulation strategies at attenuating the late positive potential (LPP) while participants were shown unpleasant pictures. Results revealed that all strategies successfully reduced the LPP and self-reported negative affect. We confirmed that distraction attenuated the LPP earlier than cognitive reappraisal. Surprisingly, expressive suppression affected emotional responding as early as distraction. This suggests that suppression was used preventively and disrupted the emotion-generative process from the very beginning instead of targeting the emotional response itself. Thus, the obtained results point to the importance of considering the point in time when response-focused emotion regulation strategies are being implemented.     

Chronic pain,body mass index and cardiovascular disease risk factors: tests of moderation,unique and shared relationships in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

Chronic pain may be related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The current study examined whether persistent bodily pain was related to cardiovascular disease risk factors, whether these effects were moderated by body mass index (BMI), and, if not, whether chronic pain accounted for unique variance in CVD risk factors. Participants were women (N = 2,135) in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. A high pain frequency variable (high pain in 0 through 4 assessments) was coded to reflect the frequency of high levels of bodily pain across the first 3 years of the study. Six CVD risk factors and BMI were measured at follow-up year 3. High pain frequency and BMI were correlated significantly with risk factors, although effects for the former were small. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed high pain frequency × BMI interactions for 5 of 6 CVD risk factors. Dissecting the interactions revealed a similar pattern across 4 risk factors: for women with normal BMI, there was a “dose–response” in which increasing frequency of high pain revealed increasingly worse CVD risk factor levels, whereas for women with obese BMI, high pain frequency was unrelated to risk factors. For obese women, increasing frequency of high pain was associated with higher blood glucose. Although BMI is a well-established CVD risk factor, evaluation of CVD risk level may be improved by considering the incidence of persistent pain, particularly in normal weight women (BMI < 25 kg/m²) lower BMI.     

Relationship between Sarcopenic Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk as Estimated by the Framingham Risk Score

This study was conducted to assess the association between sarcopenic obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Korean adults (n=3,320; ≥40 yr) who participated in the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2010. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by body weight was calculated for each participant; participants with values <1 standard deviation below the mean reference value (i.e., aged 20-39 yr) were considered sarcopenic. Subjects were further classified into 4 groups according to their obesity (i.e., body mass index ≥25 kg/m²) and sarcopenic status. Individuals'' 10-yr CVD risk was determined using the Framingham risk model. The sarcopenic obese group had more participants (43.8% men, 14.6% women) with a high risk of CVD (≥20%). The sarcopenic obese group was associated with an increased 10-yr CVD risk than the non-sarcopenic, non-obese group (odds ratio [OR], 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-4.06, P<0.001 in men; OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.02-3.41, P=0.041 in women). Sarcopenic non-obese and non-sarcopenic obese subjects were not associated with an increased 10-yr CVD risk. Sarcopenic obesity, but not non-sarcopenic obesity, was closely associated with an increased CVD risk in Korean adults.

Graphical Abstract

相似文献   

Further Observations on Minor Anomalies and Behavior in Different Home Environments

Behavior, intelligence, expressive language, and motor developmentwere assessed in a sample of 152 four-year-old children on whomexamination for minor congenital anomalies had been made duringinfancy. Increased minor anomaly scores were associated withdecrements in scores on the Motor scale of the McCarthy Scalesand in expressive language in children living in less optimalenvironments as measured by the Home Observation for Measurementof the Environment Inventory. No reliable associations betweenminor anomalies and developmental measures were seen among childrenin relatively organized and stimulating environments. Correlationsbetween anomalies scores and measures of behavior, language,and motor development differed significantly between groupsliving in different home environments. Separate analyses ofperformance on large muscle and "cognitive-motor" tasks indicateda relationship between higher anomaly scores and decreased largemuscle skill and between home environment and cognitive-motorproficiency. It was concluded that minor congenital anomaliesare not clinically useful predictors of development and behaviorgiven the mediating effects of the environment.