A recent study has noted that there is a higher risk of heart attack and stroke among people who are confrontational. This includes those who are aggressive and competitive.

About 5,614 people from Sardinia villages were examined by researchers with the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

The research found that there were more chances of thickening of the neck arteries among people who classed themselves as aggressive on a standard personality test as compared to those people who are classed as pleasant.

Researchers found that heart attack and stroke can be caused when arteries are thickened.

According to the study researchers, "Those who scored higher on antagonism or low agreeableness, especially those who were manipulative and quick to express anger, continued to have thickening of their artery walls. These traits also predicted greater progression of arterial thickening."

About 10 per cent people out of those who were antagonistic, the risk of thicker arteries was 40 per cent.

Angelina Sutin, Ph. D., the lead author said, "People who tend to be competitive and more willing to fight for their own self interest have thicker arterial walls, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease."