The Risk of Type A Mediated Coronary Artery Disease in Different Populations

Abstract

Using angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease, whether certain populations were particularly susceptible for risk engendered by type A personality was examined. Men (203) were studied with the Jenkins Activity Surveys; 103 were also studied with the Rosenman semistructured interview. The extent of vessel disease was found unrelated to type A in each of the 3 ethnic groups studied: Irish Catholic; Italian Catholic; and white Anglo-Saxon Protestant. No relationship between type A and vessel disease was discerned in high depressed, low depressed, high stressed or low stressed individuals. Whether cardiac symptomatology could affect any relationship found between type A personality and vessel disease was examined. No significant relationship was discerned in patients who had experienced or had not experienced a myocardial infarction, or in patients with mild, moderate or severe exertional angina.