Virtually all doctors acknowledge the abundant evidence that smoking is directly linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease.³⁶ Quitting smoking protects many people from atherosclerosis and heart disease, and is a critical step in the process of disease prevention.^37,38

Obesity,³⁹ type A behavior (time conscious, impatient, and aggressive), stress,⁴⁰ and sedentary lifestyle⁴¹ are all associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis; interventions designed to change these risk factors are linked to protection from this condition.⁴²

Aggressive verbal or physical responses when angry have been consistently related to coronary atherosclerosis in numerous studies.^43,44,45 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.⁴⁶