Hostility, coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence, and total mortality: lack of association in a 25-year follow-up study of 478 physicians.

Higher levels of hostility, assessed by a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scale (Ho), have been associated with the incidence of coronary disease and mortality from coronary disease and other causes in two prospective studies. In this study we examined the relationship between hostility and health status 25 years later in 478 physicians who completed the MMPI at the time of their medical-school admission interview. In contrast to earlier studies, higher Ho scores were not predictive of coronary disease incidence or total mortality. The implications of this finding for current research on the hostility component of the Type A behavior pattern are discussed.