How Hostile Are You?

Find out if you are at a higher risk for heart disease.

Researchers at Ohio State University have found that people with cynical hostility were more likely to show areas of dead tissue, or evidence of small heart attacks, in their heart. Furthermore, accordint to a study published in the November 2002 issue of Health Psychology, hostility may trump obesity, smoking, and even high cholesterol as a predictor of heart disease. How can you tell if you may be at risk?

To measure hostility in study subjects, researchers use the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale, based on 50 different measures. While the test should be administered and scored by a professional, you can get a general sense of your own hostility by reading the following statements. The more statements you agree with -- especially if you agree strongly -- the more hostile you probably are.

1. Most people would lie to get ahead.
2. It is safer to trust nobody.
3. No one cares much what happens to you.
4. Most people inwardly dislike putting themselves out to help other people.
5. Most people are honest chiefly through fear of being caught.

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