Anger outbursts can result in a severe heart attack, according to study
Anger can quickly lead to a coronary artery incident, impair blood vessel function, and increase blood pressure. Would a fit of wrath be bad for your heart? Previous research indicates a link between an abrupt outburst of rage and a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack—the leading cause of death for people worldwide.
In order to
challenge the findings of the earlier investigations, inquisitive researchers
from St. John's University in New York, Yale School of Medicine, Columbia
University Irving Medical Centre, and other establishments dug into the
underlying mechanisms.
In their experiment, group members were purposefully forced to have angry
outbursts. A total of 280 young adults in good health were chosen, and they
were split into four groups: one group was advised to count loudly for eight
minutes in order to keep them in an emotional neutral state, and the other
groups were asked to recall incidents that made them feel angry, sad, or
anxious. The researchers collected blood samples prior to the experiment and
then every 100 minutes afterward to monitor blood pressure and flow.
The findings, which were reported in the Journal of the
American Heart Association, suggested that rage may in fact harm the heart by
impairing blood vessel health.
According to Dr. Holly Middlekauff, a cardiologist and professor at UCLA's
David Geffen School of Medicine, these results may help doctors counsel
patients who struggle with heart disease and anger management to learn how to
control their emotions through yoga, exercise, or cognitive behavioural
therapy.
"The general consensus is not that anger causes heart
attacks," stated Middlekauff, who was not associated with the research.
"This research provides biological support for the theory that anger is
unhealthy, that it elevates blood pressure, and that there is a decline in
vascular health." She continued, "And that might catch some patients'
attention."