ABSTRACT
Numerous epidemiological investigations have linked various psychosocial variables and lifestyle behaviours to increased risk of the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including essential hypertension (EH). For example, coping styles such as anger suppression and expression have been associated with adverse health outcomes, including EH, coronary heart disease (CHD), and total CVD mortality[1-4]. Additionally, the inverse relationship of regular physical activity to CHD incidence and mortality has been extensively documented[5-7]. One pathway by which these various factors have been linked to CVD is via their impact upon cardiovascular (CV) reactivity to stress. That is, greater outward expression of anger and greater anger inhibition have been associated with increased CV reactivity in adolescents and adults[8-10]. Additionally, regular exercise and/or aerobic fitness have been related to reduced stress reactivity in youth and adults[11].
