HOSTILITY, AGGRESSION AND THE RISK OF NONFATAL MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Hostility can predict coronary heart disease (CHD) and total mortality in men. However, in women this association has not been as thoroughly explored. This study examines whether hostile and aggressive attitude s are associated with myocardial infarction (MI) in postmenopausal wom en. Cases included 277 women who presented with an incident MI. Contro ls included a random sample of 988 female health maintenance organizat ion enrollees. Women were asked the Hostile-Affect and the Aggressive- Responding factors of the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale. The Hostile-Aff ect score was linearly associated with increased risk for MI (odds rat io [OR] per point=1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI95%]=1.07-1.38), wh ereas the Aggressive-Responding score had a modest protective effect ( OR=0.92 per point; CI95%=0.84-1.02); p=0.009. Adjustment for sociodemo graphic and MI risk factors altered these results only slightly. These hostility measures are easily administered, and could help to identif y women who are at high risk for CHD and who may benefit from preventi ve measures. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.