OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the pathogenesis of type A behavior may involve the premature development of coronary atherosclerosis. BACKGROUND: Type A or coronary-prone behavior is considered a possible risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease. Premature development of coronary atherosclerosis is suspected to play a role. Utilizing electron beam computed tomography, one can accurately determine the degree of coronary artery calcification, which is reflective of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: We performed a study of 35 men who had no clinical evidence of coronary heart disease. Twenty exhibited severe type A behavior and 15 exhibited type B behavior. All subjects were given an Electron Beam Computed Tomography scan of their coronary arteries and a treadmill electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Eight of the 20 (40%) type A subjects were found to have coronary calcification compared to none of the type B subjects (P=0.005). The correlation coefficient between type A score and coronary calcium score was 0.39 (P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The pathophysiology by which type A behavior increases the risk for coronary heart disease may involve the premature development of coronary atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the pathogenesis of type A behavior may involve the premature development of coronary atherosclerosis. BACKGROUND: Type A or coronary-prone behavior is considered a possible risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease. Premature development of coronary atherosclerosis is suspected to play a role. Utilizing electron beam computed tomography, one can accurately determine the degree of coronary artery calcification, which is reflective of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: We performed a study of 35 men who had no clinical evidence of coronary heart disease. Twenty exhibited severe type A behavior and 15 exhibited type B behavior. All subjects were given an Electron Beam Computed Tomography scan of their coronary arteries and a treadmill electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Eight of the 20 (40%) type A subjects were found to have coronary calcification compared to none of the type B subjects (P=0.005). The correlation coefficient between type A score and coronary calcium score was 0.39 (P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The pathophysiology by which type A behavior increases the risk for coronary heart disease may involve the premature development of coronary atherosclerosis.
Authors: Zuzana Skodova; Iveta Nagyova; Jitse P van Dijk; Adriana Sudzinova; Helena Vargova; Martin Studencan; S A Reijneveld Journal: J Clin Psychol Med Settings Date: 2008-05-24
Authors: Helena M Service; Mirka Hintsanen; Taina Hintsa; Terho Lehtimäki; Olli T Raitakari; Jorma S Viikari; Liisa Keltikangas-Järvinen Journal: Behav Brain Funct Date: 2008-09-17 Impact factor: 3.759