Type A behavior and coronary atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Sparagon
B
B
Meyer Friedman Institute, UCSF-Mount Zion Medical Center, 1600 Divisadero Street, Box 1608, San Francisco, CA 94143-1608, USA. sparagon@mfisf.com
Friedman
M
M
Breall
W S
WS
Goodwin
M L
ML
Fleischmann
N
N
Ghandour
G
G
D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014434:Type A Personality