Type A behaviour score and the incidence of cardiovascular disease: a failure to replicate the claimed associations

7426 participants in the Medical Research Council's treatment trial for mild hypertension completed a self assessment measure (Bortner Rating Scale) for Type A behaviour at entry. This score was shown to be higher in younger subjects and among those in non-manual occupations. No association was shown between higher scores and the recognised risk factors for coronary heart disease nor between high scores and increased incidence of all cause mortality, myocardial infarction or stroke during a subsequent 5 yr follow up period.