New research has uncovered that frequent and intense feelings of anger can heighten the risk of heart disease and stroke, leading experts to stress the importance of implementing anger management techniques to safeguard cardiovascular well-being.
As per the findings, the emotion of anger can have detrimental effects on both the heart and brain, increasing the likelihood of heart disease and stroke among individuals who regularly experience it.
The study suggests that experiencing brief episodes of anger, particularly without the presence of other emotions like anxiety or sadness, can impact the function of blood vessels, potentially elevating the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research highlights a link between acute bursts of anger and a heightened risk of heart attack.
The researchers propose that even transient moments of anger could have adverse effects on cardiovascular health, potentially serving as triggers for heart conditions, heart attacks, and strokes.
Conducted by experts from Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, Yale School of Medicine, and St. John’s University in New York, the study underscores that heart attacks and strokes often arise when the blood flow to the heart or brain becomes obstructed.
During the study, a total of 280 healthy adults were recruited and divided randomly into four groups, each tasked with recalling events that induced feelings of anger, sadness, or anxiety.
Furthermore, a control group was instructed to verbally count from 1 to 100 repeatedly for an 8-minute duration, maintaining a neutral emotional state throughout the exercise.
Lead researcher of the study, Professor Daichi Shimbo, elucidated. “We saw that evoking an angered state led to blood vessel dysfunction, though we don’t yet understand what may cause these changes.
“This suggests that intense emotions could contribute to cardiac events in people who already have poor health. Repeated episodes of negative emotion may affect cardiovascular physiology over time, causing irreversible damage.
“Investigation into the underlying links between anger and blood vessel dysfunction may help identify effective intervention targets for people at increased risk of cardiovascular events.
“When angry, the body is flooded with stress hormones. These hormones result in detectable physiological changes like a rapid heartbeat and increased blood pressure. How well the blood vessels respond to these changes can have a strong effect on the risk of stroke and heart disease.”
In response, Dr. Oladimeji Adebayo, an Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State, emphasized the necessity for further investigation into the mechanisms through which anger negatively impacts blood vessels.
It has been reported by Wakadaily that the physician suggested the importance of future research to delve into these mechanisms and consider whether fostering positive emotions could mitigate the harmful impacts of anger on heart health.
Although the specific pathways connecting anger to cardiovascular problems are not fully understood, Adebayo underscored the critical importance of prioritizing anger management as a preventive strategy against heart disease and stroke.
He further stated, “Please note effective anger management strategies include exercise, yoga, deep breathing, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
“While one may not say we should say we should start applying that to reduce cardiovascular diseases, we should realise the benefit of anger management transcends health benefits into social and cultural benefits.
“But overall, this research highlights the importance of managing anger to prevent potential cardiovascular risks.”
