The relation of type A behavior and vital exhaustion with physiological reactions to real life stress

Type A behavior and a Vital Exhaustion/Depression cluster seem to be the most crucial elements of the psychological 'coronary risk profile'. The question is, what physiological mechanisms intervene between these characteristics and CHD risk. In the present study the relationship was investigated between type A behavior and Vital Exhaustion on the one hand and the reaction of blood pressure, catecholamines and cholesterol to a real life stressor (Ph.D. thesis defence) on the other. Type A was shown to be related to a stronger response of adrenaline and diastolic blood pressure to the stressor. Vital Exhaustion was also positively correlated with the adrenaline reaction, and moreover, with cholesterol base level, stress induced cholesterol change, and noradrenaline and cholesterol stress levels. It was suggested that the relation between Vital Exhaustion and cholesterol parameters may originate in noradrenaline induced lipolysis. Type A and Vital Exhaustion may exert their influence on coronary risk by way of different physiological mechanisms. Type A via exaggerated hemodynamic reactivity, and Vital Exhaustion via lipid metabolism.