Cardiovascular Reactivity to Acute Mental Stress: THE IMPORTANCE OF TYPE D PERSONALITY, TRAIT ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS AFTER ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES

Purpose: Links between psychophysiological reactions to stress stimuli and perceived mental distress, including type D personality, anxiety, and depression, are still under debate. The aim of this study was to examine associations between cardiovascular reactivity to social stress and mental distress in patients after acute coronary syndrome. Methods: Patients (n = 116, 86% males, 52 ± 8 yr) with coronary artery disease 2 wk after acute coronary syndrome were evaluated for sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and coronary artery disease risk factors. The Trier Social Stress Test was employed to measure cardiovascular reactions to social stress (systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate). Mental distress assessment included type D personality (Type D Scale), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and state and trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed associations between type D personality and lower heart rate during Trier Social Stress Test periods of task instruction (β = −.196, P
Source: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Cardiac Rehabilitation Source Type: research