“Neuroticism is a personality trait characterised by a tendency to interpret situations as threatening, stressful and/or overwhelming,” said Doctor Lee.
He explained: “Individuals with high levels of neuroticism are prone to experience negative emotions – such as fear, anxiety, sadness and anger – more intensely and more frequently.
“Worry refers to our attempts at problem-solving around an issue whose future outcome is uncertain and potentially positive or negative.
“Worry can be adaptive, for example, when it leads us to constructive solutions.
“However, worry can also be unhealthy, especially when it becomes uncontrollable and interferes with our day-to-day functioning.”
After their baseline assessment, the men had physical exams and blood tests every three to five years until they either passed away or dropped out of the study.
The research team used follow-up data through 2015.
During follow-up visits, seven cardiometabolic risk factors were measured: systolic (top number) blood pressure; diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure; total cholesterol; triglycerides; obesity; fasting blood sugar levels; and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), a marker of inflammation.
