Research

Deep breath: "Type A" behavior - hostility, impatience and aggression - has long been linked to men's heart disease.

Now researchers believe a short fuse could more accurately predict when a man will have a heart attack, rather than if he'll have one.

A nine-year study found no difference in levels of Type A behavior between men who suffered heart attacks and those who didn't.

But timing was a factor in Type A men who didn't have attacks, say researchers at the University of Wales College of Medicine in the United Kingdom.

Men with higher levels of Type A behavior were more likely to have their heart attacks earlier in life, says the study, published in Psychosomatic Medicine.

Aggressive behavior might expose men to factors that trigger heart disease rather than initiating the disease itself.

The study followed more than 2,800 Welsh men ages 50 to 64.

The link between Type A behavior and timing of the heart attack held true even after factoring in smoking, alcohol abuse, prior history of heart disease and other issues.

Healthy living

At risk: Men over 50 are more likely to fracture a bone due to osteoporosis than they are to get prostate cancer, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Data suggest that 1 million to 2 million American men have osteoporosis and another 8 million to 12 million have low bone mass.

Eight out of 10 hip fractures among white men over 65 are related to osteoporosis.

Risk factors include alcohol and smoking, along with poor nutrition. Family history, kidney stones, pituitary or hormone problems and treatment with cortisone or prednisone are also risk factors.

Men over 55 who have lost more than 2 inches in height should get a bone density test, experts recommend.

Treatment includes diet and lifestyle changes and medications.

Help wanted

Appeal: Kelly Chambers of Cleves, founder of FACE (For AIDS Children Everywhere), reports the organization is in dire need of funds or it will have to shut down.

FACE provides household goods, toiletries, food and financial assistance for children and families infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS. Chambers herself is HIV-positive and lost an infant daughter to the virus.

To help, send donations to FACE, P.O. Box 19783, Cincinnati, OH 45219.

Volunteers: The Compeer Program of Warren County needs volunteers to work one-on-one to foster friendships with men and women with mental illness or brain disorders. Information: (800) 478-3505.

Calendar

Education: Novartis Oncology and the American Cancer Society will present "Trials and Triumphs," a program in cancer prevention and treatment trials, at 6:30 Aug. 20 at the Drake Center. Keynote speaker is Dr. Electra Paskett of Ohio State University. Reservations: (888) 227-6446.

Shelf help

Update: Having Twins - And More (Houghton Mifflin; $18) by Elizabeth Noble, has been revised and updated with information on reducing anxiety, helping siblings adjust, recovery and resources.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330, or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer.com