Discuss why stress is often implicated as a factor in cardiovascular disease. Define Type A personality and discuss research regarding its validity

What will be an ideal response?

The cardiovascular system includes the heart, blood vessels, and control mechanisms for its regulation. Cardiovascular disease often occurs because of blockages in blood vessels to the heart, which cause heart attacks, and in blood vessels to the brain, which cause stress. High blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol levels contribute to both of these problems. Hypertension can occur as a result of strong physiological responses to stress, kidney problems, emotional distress, feelings of uncontrollability, and low social support. Type A behavior was originally described as a combination of impatience, energy, time pressure, and competitiveness. Early researchers (Freidman and Rosenman) thought this behavior pattern caused heart disease, although later research suggests that the relationship is complex, with negative emotions such as anger, hostility, anxiety, and depression being stronger predictors of cardiovascular disease than the Type A pattern itself.