Personality traits in young males at risk for hypertension

Drummond, P.D. (1982) Personality traits in young males at risk for hypertension. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 26 (6). pp. 585-589.

Abstract

Individuals at risk for hypertension were identified during a blood pressure survey of males in the 17-39 yr age group. Elevated causal systolic blood pressure was associated with recognized predictors of hypertension (increased average systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body weight and familial history of cardiovascular disease). A combination of Type A behaviour, social desirability and introversion differentiated students with elevated casual systolic blood pressure from normotensive controls. These traits may constitute an additional risk factor for hypertension.