Angina pectoris: a validation of the biopsychosocial model.

The belief in the biopsychosocial model is fundamental to family medicine and practice. Using knowledge gained from history, clinical experience, epidemiologic studies, pathophysiologic processes, psychophysiologic pathways, and molecular-chemical reactions, angina pectoris is examined to validate the concepts of the biopsychosocial model. This model is one where biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors interact to produce illness or disease through molecular-chemical processes. Angina pectoris is shown to be a valid example of the biopsychosocial model.