Type A Personality
A High Stress Lifestyle Can Lead to Coronary Heart Disease
Type A personalities are characterized by a competitive, impatient, self-motivated and angry nature. Type A people stop at nothing to win, walk and talk fast and are extremely time conscious. Simple and common events such as waiting in line, being stopped at a red light or being put on hold are very distressing.
In the early 1980s, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute found a connection between coronary heart disease and Type A people.
Type A Personality Test
- Constructive criticism is annoying and frustrating.
- Road rage is an everyday occurrence even when time is not an issue.
- Disagreeing with what a broadcaster says causes shouting at the TV.
- Errands are quick and to the point going straight to the necessary aisle rather than browsing the store.
Unfortunately, Type A personalities constantly have to take a “negativity check.” Anger is very prevalent in Type A people, and hostility is directly linked to coronary heart disease. Those with a negative disposition and who are constantly in a poor emotional state showing signs of resentment and pessimism are at a higher risk of coronary heart disease, especially heart attack.
Another hypothesis is that Type A personalities are more prone to coronary heart disease because they are less health conscious. Maybe these people are more likely to drink too much alcohol, smoke cigarettes or have a poor diet.
Note:
Learning to drink wine in moderation is actually helpful for preventing heart disease.
Coping with stress
There are 3 different ways to cope with stress.
- Problem focused coping is defined by the practice of cognitive and behavioral changes that modify stress.
For example: Avoid procrastination to alleviate unnecessary last-minute stress.
- Emotion focused coping is defined by reducing the distress caused by a stressful situation by using cognitive and behavioral attempts.
For example: Open up to a trusted confidant to express repressed feelings before they come out in forms of stress and rage.
- Proactive coping means “striking while the iron is hot.” This approach to a stressful situation wards it off from the beginning.
For example: A healthy social life with a supportive group of friends is vital in lowering stress levels.
A moderate amount of stress is healthy and vital for motivation and accomplishment. Learning to deal with out of control or unnecessary stress can be life changing and life saving. Type A personalities should make the effort to learn the different coping strategies to better deal with their current stress and reduce their risk for coronary heart disease in the future.
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