The Connection Between Personality and Atrial Fibrillation
We often understand atrial fibrillation (AFib) as a heart disorder linked to lifestyle choices. But did you know that your personality can also play a role? In this article, Prof. Dr. Bianca Brundel, a molecular and cellular biologist, explains the connection between high sensitivity, type D personality, and AFib.
What is high sensitivity?
High sensitivity, also known as Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), refers to individuals who are more sensitive to impressions and stimuli than the average person. An HSP is more likely to notice subtle nuances in body language and moods and is more sensitive to light, smells, and sounds. For instance, an HSP might immediately notice the bright sunlight when stepping outside or the humming sound of a refrigerator.
Whether high sensitivity has a direct relationship with atrial fibrillation is unknown, as no scientific studies have investigated this connection. However, research on type D personality and AFib has shown some interesting findings.
What is type D personality?
People with a type D personality experience negative emotions more frequently than others and often exhibit social inhibition. This means they feel negative emotions quickly in certain situations but do not easily express them. They tend to suppress these emotions due to fear of social disapproval or rejection. Consequently, individuals with a type D personality often feel depressed, and irritable, and tend to brood more, having less self-confidence. Key characteristics of a type D personality include:
- Negative feelings
- Negative mood: irritability and anxiety
- Suppressing negative feelings
The relationship between type D personality and cardiovascular disease
In the Netherlands, about 12 to 14% of the healthy population exhibits aspects of a type D personality. Worldwide this personality type is exhibited by approximately 20-30% of the population. Research shows that individuals with a type D personality often have more mental and physical complaints. Among those with cardiovascular diseases, 27- 34% have a type D personality. Heart attack patients with a type D personality are four times more likely to suffer another heart attack.
The link between type D personality and atrial fibrillation
Dr. Nina Kupper and colleagues from Tilburg University investigated the link between type D personality and AFib. In a study of 159 people with atrial fibrillation, they found that individuals with a type D personality experience more symptoms related to AFib. Additionally, these individuals also have general health complaints and symptoms of agitation, such as an accelerated heart rate (tachycardia) and sweating.
What conclusions can we draw?
While scientists have not yet found a relationship between high sensitivity and AFib, people with a type D personality who have atrial fibrillation tend to experience more general health complaints and symptoms related to the condition.
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References
Mols, F., & Denollet, J. (2008). Wat is type D-persoonlijkheid? Patient Care Interne Geneeskunde, 35(dec-jan),25-28.
Kupper, N., & Denollet, J. (2018). Type D Personality as a Risk Factor in Coronary Heart Disease: a Review of Current Evidence. Current cardiology reports, 20(11), 104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-018-1048-x
Kupper, N., Broek, K. v. d., Haagh, E., Voort, P. v. d., Widdershoven, J., & Denollet, J. (2018). Type d personality affects health-related quality of life in patients with lone atrial fibrillation by increasing symptoms related to sympathetic activation. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 115, 44-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.10.005
Perros, P., Nagy, E. V., Papini, E., Abad-Madroñero, J., Lakwijk, P., Poots, A. J., … & Hegedüs, L. (2024). Hypothyroidism and type d personality: results from e-mpathy, a cross-sectional international online patient survey. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &Amp; Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgae140
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