NEGATIVE FEELINGS (DISCONTENT) PREDICT PROGRESS OF INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS OF THE COMMON CAROTID-ARTERY IN TREATED HYPERTENSIVE MEN AT HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

A number of psychosocial factors have been identified as cardiovascula r risk factors. The purpose of the present study was to examine, in a prospective study, whether quality of life, as measured by the minor s ymptoms evaluation profile, was associated with progression of the int ima-media thickness in the common carotid artery in a group of treated hypertensive men at high risk of cardiovascular disease (n = 97). Pat ients with any cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, angina p ectoris, intermittent claudication, or stroke) at entry felt significa ntly more discontent, compared with patients without signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease. The change in maximum intima-media thickne ss during the follow-up period was associated with discontent at entry (r = 0.23, P =.03). The relationship between the change in maximum in tima-media thickness and discontent at entry remained significant (P = .02) after adjusting for serum-cholesterol and concomitant cardiovascu lar disease. In conclusion, discontent in treated hypertensive men at high cardiovascular risk was significantly and independently associate d with an increase in maximum intima-media thickness in the common car otid artery. This finding suggests that the experience of well-being m ay influence the atherosclerotic process.