Electrocardiographic effects of social stress on coronary-prone (type A) individuals
Abstract:
Subjects selected for possession of either the Type A (coronary-prone) or Type B (coronary-resistant) behavior pattern interacted with a computer, while appearing to interact with a partner, in a formal competitive game of social strategy. Type A subjects exhibited greater impatience than Type B subjects. Computer analysis of the electrocardiogram revealed that social stimulation elicited larger ventricular electrophysiological responses (ST segment depression, and reduction of T wave and R wave amplitudes) in Type A than in Type B subjects. Such changes are consistent with the assumption of greater cardiac sympathetic activity during the social interactions in the Type A subjects.
Related Concept Videos
Electrocardiogram
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and the T...
Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...


