Atherosclerosis
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Virtually all doctors acknowledge the abundant evidence that smoking is directly linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease.153 Quitting smoking protects many people from atherosclerosis and heart disease, and is a critical step in the process of disease prevention.154,155
Obesity,156 type A behavior (time conscious, impatient, and aggressive), stress,157 and sedentary lifestyle158 are all associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis; interventions designed to change these risk factors are linked to protection from this condition.159
Aggressive verbal or physical responses when angry have been consistently related to coronary atherosclerosis in numerous studies.160,161,162 A low level of social support, especially when combined with a high level of outwardly expressed anger has also been associated with accelerated progression of coronary atherosclerosis.163