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Components of the Anger-hostility Complex as Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease Severity: A Multi-measure Study

M R McDermott1, J M Ramsay, C Bray

  • 1University of East London, UK.

Journal of Health Psychology
|November 4, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Expressed anger, not other hostility types, strongly predicts coronary artery disease (CAD). Smoking and age also impact disease severity, suggesting focused research on anger expression

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Behavioral Medicine

Background:

  • Anger and hostility are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis.
  • Previous research has not comprehensively assessed various anger/hostility forms in a single study.
  • Understanding the specific roles of different anger expressions is crucial for CAD etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relative predictive utility of multiple anger and hostility measures in relation to CAD.
  • To identify which specific anger/hostility variables are most significantly associated with coronary artery disease.
  • To guide future research by pinpointing key etiological factors in CAD.

Main Methods:

  • A multi-measure study involving three adult outpatient groups.
  • Participants included men with angiographically confirmed CAD, men with valvular heart disorders, and men attending a fracture clinic (no CAD).
  • Questionnaires assessed anger expression, anger experience, cynical hostility, 'Ho' hostility, neurotic hostility, neurotic disagreeableness, resentment, and suspiciousness.

Main Results:

  • Expressed anger emerged as the most significant correlate of CAD.
  • Years as a smoker and advanced age were also independently related to CAD severity.
  • Seven other anger/hostility variables showed no significant predictive utility comparable to expressed anger.

Conclusions:

  • Expressed anger is a primary anger-hostility correlate in coronary artery disease etiology.
  • Further investigation is needed to identify the specific toxic components of expressed anger and relevant socio-occupational environments.
  • Research should focus on the mechanisms linking expressed anger to CAD and contextual factors influencing its occurrence.

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