Type a behaviour, social contact and coronary death

Abstract

The risk of coronary death associated with Type A behaviour (Framingham definition) and social contact was examined using a retrospective case-control design. Logistic regression analysis of 134 male cases and 339 controls showed that increased risk was associated with Type B behaviour, and independently with limited social contact. Discussion focuses on issues surrounding the use of retrospective, proxy data; and on the speculation that Type A behaviour may increase risk of non-fatal coronary events, but protect against coronary death.

Key Words:

• Type A behaviour
• social contact
• coronary death.