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Coronary-Prone Behavior Pattern
 By
Dr. Narinder Saini M.D.
As most people are aware, heart disease is the number
one cause of death in the United States, and stroke the
number one cause of disability.
Certain behavior patterns place us at a higher risk than
usual for developing heart disease. Substantial research
over the past ten years has determined that not the drive
to achieve but a tendency toward chronic hostility, irritability,
distrust, and consequent social isolation with a lack
of close, loving relationships places a person at high
risk for developing heart disease. Coronary-prone behavior
pattern (CPBP) is a more optimistic term than "type A
personality" in that it is easier to change a behavior
pattern than a whole personality. This behavior pattern
is especially common in Western societies.
People with CPBP exhibit the following characteristics:
1. Emotional reactivity. They become angry quickly and
harbor feelings of hostility.
2. Fierce independence and need to be in control. They
are leaders and have difficulty "going with the flow."
3. Difficulty with intimacy. They fear open, honest self-disclosure
of thoughts and feelings.
4. Time urgency. They are usually in a hurry and, for
example, hate waiting in lines.
5. Mistrust of other people.
6 Underlying feelings of depression and isolation.
Person with above characteristics, tend to live in a state
of chronic physiological arousal. Under these circumstances,
the flight or fight stress reaction is frequently activated
which creates more wear and tear on the cardiovascular
system than necessary.
It is possible to change the way we perceive the "stressful"
moments in our lives through positive thinking strategies,
stress reduction exercises, and breathing techniques.
Our beliefs, emotions, and behavior can enhance or destroy
our heart health. |
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