HeartPoint: Dozen Myths

MYTH #11:

"You better quit work . . . Stress will kill you."

THE FACTS

Several personality traits and psychological conditions have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of serious heart disease. The classic intense and driven "Type A" personality is well known, but it is not the work that hurts these folks. Those Type A's who experience hostility along with a continued sense of time urgency are the ones that have the trouble. Depression and social isolation also seem to be important negatives for heart disease.

CONCLUSION

"Work" or "stress" are not necessarily bad for our hearts or ourselves. They can be enjoyable and help us grow and maintain our mental, emotional, and physical health. It is the hostility that sometimes involved that seems to be the issue. Mental health should not be neglected by anyone, but may be particularly important in dealing with heart disease.

ŠCOPY;1997 HeartPoint   Updated December 1998.

| Drugs to Lower Cholesterol |  Smoking  |  Good Levels of Cholesterol  |  Pain not from Heart  |
| Exercise | Vitamins | Nitroglycerin  |  Low Cholesterol Foods  |  A Few Drinks  |
| Women No Heart Disease |  Stress  |  Got to Die Sometime  |

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