A. Lahad et al., HOSTILITY, AGGRESSION AND THE RISK OF NONFATAL MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN, Journal of psychosomatic research, 43(2), 1997, pp. 183-195
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.