The Relationship Between Perceived Challenge and Daily Symptom Reporting in Type A vs. Type B Postinfarct Subjects

Previous studies have suggested that Type A individuals underreport both subjective fatigue and physical symptoms under conditions of ongoing challenge. The present study tests whether postinfarct Type A's also suppress fatigue and, more importantly, whether they underreport MI-related symptoms during the course of their daily activities. Subjects (N = 40) were post-MI middle-aged men participating in an exercise rehabilitation program, and were classified as Type Al, A2, B3, or B4 by the structured interview method on admission to the study. Laboratory fatigue ratings were obtained using the Borg perceived exertion rating scale during bicycle ergometer exercise. A diary method was used to obtain symptom reports and ratings of subjective fatigue, perceived stress, and perceived challenge during usual daily activities over a 2-week period. Results indicate that Type A postinfarct patients did not suppress fatigue relative to Type B's during the bicycle ergometer exercise. However, Type A's who scored high on perceived challenge during the course of daily living did report fewer symptoms than Type B's; clear negative correlation between perceived challenge and symptom reporting was observed for Type A's, in contrast to Type B's, who exhibited a positive relationship.