Anger is an important emotion that makes us, for example, hold on to things that are important to us. Repeated anger, however, has harmful effects on heart health, states the study.
Repeated even brief feelings of anger can cause blood vessels to constrict, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
This is evident from a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
It is known that anger increases blood pressure and heart rate and accelerates blood clotting. The researchers also wanted to find out how repeated even short moments of anger affect the vascular system.
In the study, 280 adults participated in tasks that were intended to evoke feelings of anger, anxiety or sadness.
The participants’ blood vessel dilation and cell activity were measured before, during and after the task.
Angry participants still had disturbances in blood vessel dilation 40 minutes after the feeling of anger had already passed.
– We saw that an angry emotional state led to vascular dysfunction, although we still do not understand what causes these changes, says the professor who led the study Daichi Shimbo Medical News Todaylle.
However, the way our blood vessels react to changes can strongly influence the risks of stroke and atherosclerotic heart disease, experts point out.
When angry, for example, blood pressure and heart rate increase. Adobe stock/AOP
Stress puts a strain on the heart
One possible factor for the harmfulness of the feeling of anger may be that the adrenaline spikes released by anger in the body exert a burden on the cardiovascular system.
Sadness and anxiety did not have the same effect on blood vessels in the study. However, the researchers point out that other negative emotions can also affect heart health, although no effects were found in this particular study.
One example is broken heart syndrome, takotsubo, which weakens the heart’s left ventricle and interferes with its normal pumping action.
Broken heart syndrome typically affects a middle-aged or older woman who gets infarct-type chest pain in connection with a strong shock or pain. The reason can be, for example, the death of a loved one or a separation.
In the disease, stress hormone levels are high.
At the wheel of the car, many people are boiling. According to research, the most annoying things in traffic are curlers and those hanging behind. However, you can learn to be neutral about other people’s driving style. Adobe Stock / AOP
Stop worrying
Everyone gets angry sometimes, and there is no reason to completely suppress the feelings of anger. However, according to the researchers, it is worth remembering that a calm mind can have long-term benefits for heart health.
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Michael C. Miller Harvard University has pointed out that constant worrying can also keep cortisol levels high and raise heart rate, especially during sleep. This is harmful to the heart and blood vessels.
– Stress management methods are important. You can teach yourself to recognize the feelings and thoughts that arise in different situations and to understand that you don’t have to react to everything.
For example, mindfulness, meditation or simply deep breathing are effective ways to calm the body and mind, the researchers remind.
Concentrating on breathing forcefully causes the mind and nervous system to calm down. The most important thing is that the exhalation is always longer than the inhalation. Adobe Stock / AOP
THE FACTS
What happens in the body?
For some, anger is throbbing in the temples, for others it’s tingling in the arms. For some, anger can be felt, for example, in the throat or chest.
When you’re angry, your blood pressure rises. Heart rate increases.
The hands start to sweat and the muscles stiffen. Testosterone and adrenaline levels rise. The brain prepares for fight or flight mode.
Anger is still a good feeling: it helps you recognize your own limits and the things that are important to you. In the background of anger or at the same time there are other emotions: anxiety, shame, disappointment, jealousy or hopelessness.
The feeling of anger can be released with these means:
Think about what the feeling is. When you understand the reason, you can calm down more easily.
Decompose emotion into physical activity. For example, you can squeeze an object or move quickly.
Go away for a while to calm down. For example, you can go to another room or go for a short walk.
Take a few deep breaths.
Source: Mental health house
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