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Beyond Type A: hostility and coronary heart disease--implications for research and practice
Insights
Hostility, a psychological factor, is increasingly studied as a predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD). Further research is needed to understand its role and refine risk reduction programs for better heart health.
Area of Science:
- Psychology and Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health Research
Background:
- Traditional research on Type A behavior patterns is evolving.
- Focus is shifting to specific psychological and behavioral factors predicting coronary heart disease (CHD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hostility as a key predictor of CHD endpoints.
- To highlight unanswered questions regarding hostility and CHD.
- To suggest implications for clinical practice and risk reduction.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on psychological and behavioral correlates of CHD.
- Focus on hostility as a specific area of investigation.
Main Results:
- Hostility is frequently investigated as a potential CHD predictor.
- Significant questions regarding hostility's link to CHD remain.
- Existing risk reduction programs may require reevaluation.
Conclusions:
- Hostility warrants further research as a CHD predictor.
- Clinical practice needs to consider hostility in CHD risk assessment.
- Standard risk reduction strategies may need updating based on new findings.
Abstract:
Research into the psychological and behavioral correlates of coronary heart disease (CHD) has gone beyond the traditional description of the Type A behavior pattern and is focusing instead on components that may be more sensitive predictors of CHD endpoints. One component being investigated frequently is hostility. Many questions related to hostility and CHD remain unanswered and warrant further research. Implications for practice include a need for reexamination of standard risk reduction programs in light of current knowledge.