Heart health and anger
Anger and effects on the heart
People who get angry easily are more likely to have a heart attack, or other heart disease, than their more placid counterparts, according to a recent analysis of more than 40 studies. In addition, the findings of a recent Swedish study suggest that ‘bottling up’ anger may also increase the risk of heart disease.
Although it is not yet known why anger should have this effect on heart health, it has been suggested that anger could promote behaviours (such as poor diet, less physical activity or smoking) that are associated with the risk of having heart disease. It has also been proposed that the production of ‘stress’ hormones may have the effect of narrowing blood vessels, which could trigger a blockage in the coronary arteries, leading to a heart attack.
Who is at risk?
The harmful effects of anger on heart disease appear to be greater in men than women. If you have a ‘short fuse’ and lose your temper easily, it could have more serious consequences than just upsetting those around you from time to time. Many people can be helped to overcome their anger. Apart from becoming easier to live with, those who succeed might also live longer.
Last Reviewed: 15 January 2010
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2. Chang PP, Ford DE, Meoni LA, Wang N-Y, Klag MJ. Anger in young men and subsequent premature cardiovascular disease Arch Intern Med 2002; 162: 901-6. http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=archinte&resid=162/8/901 (accessed July 2010)
3. Leineweber C, Westerlund H, Theorell T, Kivimäki M, Westerholm P, Alfredsson L. Covert coping with unfair treatment at work and risk of incident myocardial infarction and cardiac death among men: prospective cohort study. J Epidemiol Community Health doi:10.1136/jech.2009.088880 (Nov 2009). Available from: http://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2009/11/23/jech.2009.088880?cited-by=yes&legid=jech;jech.2009.088880v1 (accessed July 2010).
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