The role of type A behavior and hostility in an elevation of plasma lipids in adult women and men.

Hostility, Type A behavior, and plasma lipids were assessed in a community sample of 352 women and men. After the contribution of age and body mass index to the variation in plasma lipid and lipoproteins were controlled for, persons scoring high on Type A behavior as well as hostility had elevated levels of plasma and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. These findings were replicated in a 1-year follow-up, suggesting that psychosocial factors may have an effect on plasma lipids in typical adults living in the United States.