Type A behavior and cardiovascular responses during verbalization in cardiac patients.

While the physiological mechanisms linking Type A behavior pattern (TABP) to increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk are unknown, extreme cardiovascular reactivity to daily activities and stressors has been proposed as a mechanism for promoting the progression of atherosclerosis and CHD. Verbalization, either talking or reading aloud, is known to cause significant increases in the blood pressure and heart rates of individuals, including cardiac patients. Blood pressure and heart rate responses of 111 Type A and Type B cardiac patients during verbalization were examined in this study. Blood pressure and heart rate increased significantly during verbalization for all patients. The TABP, measured with both the structured interview and the Jenkins Activity Survey, had little relation to cardiovascular responses.