Type A behavior and the incidence of coronary heart disease in the framingham heart study

The observation in Framingham that type A behavior combines synergistically with other coronary risk factors in the prediction of CHD was also observed in the WCGS. These results suggest that the pathogenic effect of the standard risk factors is amplified by the presence of type A behavior. Further physiologic work on the differences in neuroendocrine function, lipid metabolism, platelet aggregation, and blood pressure lability among type A's and type B's should help explain the synergism of type A behavior with other coronary risk factors. Studies into the psychologic mechanisms through which type A behavior operates are sorely needed, so that behavior modification programs for individuals with this high risk behavior can be implemented. Finally, the results from the Framingham study confirm the findings reported by the WCGS, and as such, support the notion that type A behavior is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease among both men and women.