The Cook and Medley Hostility (Ho) Scale has been found to predict the development of coronary heart disease, coronary death, and death from other causes. Enhanced physiological responsiveness among high-Ho subjects may represent a link between hostility and health. The present study examined the systolic and diastolic blood-pressure (SBP, DBP) and heart-rate (HR) responses of high- and low-Ho undergraduate males while they presented their position and listened to their partner's opposing position in a current events discussion task. Compared to low-Ho subjects, the high-Ho group displayed larger SBP and DBP responses. These results and others suggest that cynical hostility is associated with greater physiological responses to interpersonal stressors.