Ontogenetic Development and ‘Breakdown in Adaptation’

In this paper, we review the role of the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern, stressful life changes, and manifestations of vital exhaustion and depression in the development of myocardial infarction from a dynamic ontogenetic psychological perspective. It is argued, that although some of these psychosocial factors have contributed to different extents to the general understanding of the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction, in future studies more attention should be paid to the specific historical and social contexts in which Type A behavior, stressful life changes, and vital exhaustion and depression are embedded, in order to gain more psychological insight into the long-term developmental structures that may lead to the onset of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.