The risk of type a mediated coronary artery disease in different populations

Using angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease, we have examined whether certain populations were particularly susceptible for risk engendered by Type A personality. Two hundred three men were studied with the Jenkins Activity Surveys; 103 of them were also studied with the Rosenman semistructured interview. The extent of vessel disease was found unrelated to Type A in each of the three ethnic groups studied--Irish Catholic, Italian Catholic, and white Anglo-Saxon Protestant. Likewise, no relationship between Type A and vessel disease was discerned in high depressed, low depressed, high stressed, or low stressed individuals. Finally, we examined whether cardiac symptomatology could affect any relationship found between Type A personality and vessel disease. 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.