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Current Cardiology Reports
Published in: Current Cardiology Reports 11/2018

Open Access 01-11-2018 | Psychological Aspects of Cardiovascular Diseases (A Steptoe, Section Editor)

Type D Personality as a Risk Factor in Coronary Heart Disease: a Review of Current Evidence

Authors: Nina Kupper, Johan Denollet

Published in: Current Cardiology Reports | Issue 11/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

This review article synthesizes recent research findings on the psychological context of Type D personality and the mechanisms through which Type D affects disease progression and prognosis among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Recent Findings

One in four patients with CHD has a Distressed (Type D) personality, which is characterized by two stable traits: social inhibition and negative affectivity. Type D personality predicts increased mortality and morbidity burden, and poorer health-related quality of life. Type D is part of a family of psychosocial risk factors that affect CHD prognosis. The pattern of co-occurrence of these psychosocial factors and intra-individual differences in psychosocial profiles may affect risk prediction accuracy. Multiple biological and behavioral processes have been associated with Type D personality.

Summary

Identifying pathways explaining the observed associations between Type D personality and CHD is important to improve etiological and pathophysiological knowledge and to design personalized interventions, and targeting specific risk-associated pathways.
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Metadata
Title
Type D Personality as a Risk Factor in Coronary Heart Disease: a Review of Current Evidence
Authors
Nina Kupper
Johan Denollet
Publication date
01-11-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Cardiology Reports / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 1523-3782
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3170
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-018-1048-x

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