Unhappy childhood linked to heart risk in later life

Emotional behaviour in childhood may be linked with heart disease in middle age, especially in women, research suggests.

A study found being prone to distress at the age of seven was associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease in later life.

Conversely children who were better at paying attention and staying focused had reduced heart risk when older.

The US researchers said more work was needed to understand the link.

Their study looked at 377 adults who had taken part in research as children. At seven they had undergone several tests to look at emotional behaviour.