Type A behavior and its association with cardiovascular disease prevalence in Blacks and Whites: The Minnesota heart survey

Abstract

Population-based surveys were conducted in 1985 and 1986 to measure the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) history and risk factors in Black and White adults. Type A behavior was measured by the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS). JAS scores were associated with age (negatively), education (positively), and sex (men greater than women) but were largely unrelated to CHD risk factors. Blacks had significantly lower age- and education-adjusted Type A and component scores than Whites, more so for men than women. Univariate analysis indicated that a history of angina and/or heart attack was positively associated with the Type A score in both Blacks and Whites. Following adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, Type A score remained positively and significantly associated with CHD prevalence. These findings are consistent with other cross-sectional studies and suggest that Type A behavior, as measured by the JAS, may increase the risk of CHD in both Blacks and Whites. Follow-up of these cohorts may help to clarify the complex relationship of Type A behavior to the risk of CHD.