Could Anger Be Bad for Your Heart?

New research shows anger can reduce blood vessel function, potentially increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Learn how to manage anger and protect your heart health.

There’s a lot to be angry about in this world: politics, work, relationships. But what if anger isn’t just bad for your mood, but also for your heart? A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA) says that may be the case.

The study followed 280 healthy young adults with no history of heart disease. Researchers monitored their blood pressure, blood vessel function, and other heart health markers. Then, the participants were divided into several groups and asked to perform tasks intended to induce anger, anxiety, sadness, and a neutral state of mind.

Those in the anger group read passages designed to induce anger-like experiences. Those in the anxiety group read passages designed to induce anxiety-like experiences. Those in the sadness group read passages designed to induce sadness-like experiences. And those in the neutral group simply sat quietly, doing nothing.

Results were astonishing. Those who read passages that evoked anger-like experiences showed a significant reduction in blood vessel dilation — an important factor in maintaining healthy heart function. This restriction in blood flow could potentially lead to a heart attack or stroke in the long run. Anxiety and sadness didn’t have this effect, suggesting that anger itself has a special damaging effect on the cardiovascular system.

But why is this happening?

Experts believe that anger may increase levels of cortisol — a stress hormone that in turn increases blood pressure and constrains blood vessel function. Although this study focused on short-term anger, researchers are concerned that chronic anger could have far more damaging long-term effects.

What can You Do About It?

The good news is, there are some steps you can take to manage anger and protect your heart health. Here are some tips from cardiologists:

Identify what makes you angry. What triggers your anger? Once you know, you can devise ways to avoid or minimize those situations.

Practice relaxation techniques: Techniques such as meditation and deep breathing can help calm your body and mind if you are angry.
Think before you react: Take a moment to calm yourself before reacting in anger. That way, your thinking becomes clearer and allows for more measured responses.
Physical activity: One way of relieving stress and managing anger is physical activity.
Professional Help: If you feel it is too hard to manage anger, see a therapist who can teach you ways of coping.

Remember that anger is an emotion, but it is in the best interest of health to manage it. The easier you make it to incorporate these tips in your life, the less you put yourself at risk for heart disease and live a happier life.