The type A behavior pattern (TABP) showed immense success in predicting coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence for three decades, from the 1960s onward, and was considered a strong and independent risk factor for CHD development. The TABP, or behavior classifications closely related to this pattern, are still used both in practice and in research settings, for this purpose. But due to a number of negative findings and critical commentaries on the relation between type A behavior pattern and CHD from the middle of the 1980s and few positive findings in the same period of time, researchers and practitioners have questioned whether the TABP’s predictability of future CHD development was really quite so well established. This chapter describes the early history of TABP and also scrutinizes the related concept of type A personality, which became the concept to describe what was the underlying personality of TABP. It sums up the research history for the TABP construct by starting with a number of reviews and meta-analyses on the concept from the late 1980s and until now. The chapter is based on a close examination of the research on TABP involving extensive literature searches conducted in 2003, 2010, and 2013 using PubMed, MEDLINE and PsycINFO, and the search term “type behavior and CVD.” While the volume of evidence has declined over time, recent work suggests a continuing utility for the construct. Show
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Additional informationA Dedication It is with both affection and humility that we dedicate this chapter to Dr. Ray H Rosenman, the co-originator of the type A construct, who passed away on 20 May 2013. Ray was a good friend and a generous mentor to many of us then working in the field of Psychocardiology. His profound and original clinical insight in recognizing in his patients what subsequently became known as type A behavior and his outstanding scientific skill in turning this astute clinical observation into an operational definition capable of objective measurement gave rise to one of the undisputed research landmarks in the area. He will be remembered by so many with respect, admiration, and appreciation. Rights and permissionsReprints and Permissions Copyright information© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore About this entryCite this entryEspnes, G.A., Byrne, D. (2016). Type A Behavior and Cardiovascular Disease. In: Alvarenga, M., Byrne, D. (eds) Handbook of Psychocardiology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-206-7_30 Is Type A behavior related to heart disease?The type A behavior pattern (TABP) was described in the 1950s by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, who argued that TABP was an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. This theory was supported by positive findings from the Western Collaborative Group Study and the Framingham Study.
What is Type A behavior associated with?The phrase "Type A" refers to a pattern of behavior and personality associated with high achievement, competitiveness, and impatience, among other characteristics. In particular, the positive traits of a Type A personality include: Self-control. Motivation to achieve results. Competitiveness.
Why are Type A personalities prone to heart disease?If those studies are correct, type A's may have greater heart risks, in part, because they are under more stress than other people. Stress raises blood pressure. That can increase the risk for a heart attack. Type A's also may relieve stress in unhealthy ways like drinking alcohol and smoking.
Which component of a Type A personality is associated with heart disease?Hostility appears to be the main factor linked to heart disease and is a better predictor than the TAPB as a whole.
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