ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between positive and negative affect levels and P wave variability, which is a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation in healthy young males. Sixty six physically healthy male subjects between the ages of 21 and 30 were included in the study. Twelve derivation electrocardiogram was taken and standart echocardiographic evaluation was made in the cases in the study. P-wave variability was defined as the difference between the longest and shortest P wave duration. Positive and negative affect levels of the cases were determined with Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Subject were divided into two groups as “high” and “low” according to their scores of positive and negative affect levels. There was not a correlation between positive affect level and P-wave variability whereas there was a significant correlation between negative affect level and P-wave variability. Results of this study show that there is a relationship between negative affect level and P-wave variability in healthy young males. The findings are in consistent with the findings of previous studies investigating the relationship between negative emotions such as anxiety and hostility and P-wave variability.