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Interactions among higher trait anxiety, sympathetic activity, and endothelial function in the elderly

Kosuke Narita1, Tetsuhito Murata, Toshihiko Hamada

  • 1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Matsuoka-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.

Journal of Psychiatric Research
|February 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

High trait anxiety in elderly individuals is linked to impaired cardiac autonomic function and endothelial dysfunction, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Depression showed no significant association.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Negative psychological traits are recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Understanding the impact of anxiety and depression on cardiovascular health in the elderly is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the influence of depression and anxiety on cardiac autonomic function.
  • To assess the impact of depression and anxiety on endothelial function in healthy elderly subjects.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed cardiac autonomic function using spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) via head-up tilt test.
  • Measured brachial artery endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using high-resolution ultrasound.
  • Utilized the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and psychometric depression parameters.

Main Results:

  • Higher STAI-trait anxiety scores correlated positively with baseline HRV sympathetic modulation.
  • Higher STAI-trait anxiety scores correlated negatively with head-up tilt-induced HRV sympathetic response and percent change in FMD (%FMD).
  • Structural equation modeling indicated higher trait anxiety reduces %FMD through sympathetic activity abnormalities; depression showed no association.

Conclusions:

  • Specific interactions exist between higher trait anxiety, sympathetic activity abnormalities, and endothelial dysfunction.
  • These findings may elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms linking anxiety to increased atherosclerosis and CVD risk.

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