How does emotional control affect men’s long-term risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke? Analysis of linked registry data

PURPOSE: The study examined whether poor emotional control shown at a young age increases the risk of having stroke and/or ischemic heart disease (IHD) later in life among Swedish men. The risk of stroke and IHD was also compared between smokers and non-smokers. METHODS: The study was based on data from an historical nationwide survey of Swedish men aged 18-20 years who underwent mandatory military conscription. Psychologists assessed emotional control based on semi-structured interviews with the conscripts. A total of 45,169 men were followed up for a first event of ischemic stroke and IHD approximately 40 to 70 years of age. Cox' regression estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: Poor emotional control was associated with increased stroke risk, which remained statistically significant after adjusting for covariates (HR: 1.22, 95%CI: 1.08-1.39). No significant association with IHD was found after adjusting for covariates. In the comparison between smokers and non-smokers (at military conscription), poor emotional control was significantly associated with later stroke risk only among the smokers (HR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.12-1.54). CONCLUSION: Findings of this study do not provide evidence for an effect of poor emotional control on long-term risk of stroke and IHD independent of smoking.