New research reveals that anger can harm your blood vessel health, leading to long-term cardiovascular risks. Learn about the study's findings and the importance of managing anger healthily.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association shows anger can negatively affect how blood vessels function.
"We've known anger, sadness, and anxiety are linked to future heart disease risk," said lead author Dr. Daichi Shimbo of Columbia University. "This study aimed to understand why."
Researchers divided 280 participants into groups tasked with recalling feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, or neutrality for eight minutes. Blood vessel health was measured before and after.
While sadness and anxiety showed minimal impact, anger significantly reduced blood vessel dilation, a key indicator of health.
"This suggests anger's negative health effects may stem from its impact on blood vessel health itself," Dr. Shimbo explained.
This study strengthens the connection between emotions and cardiovascular health, according to Dr. Joe Ebinger of Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.
"It's one of the first well-done, randomized studies showing emotional responses trigger measurable changes in our blood vessels," he said.
The study identified three ways anger affects blood vessels
Reduced ability to dilate in response to restricted blood flow.
Cellular damage and impaired repair mechanisms.
While the effects lasted only 40 minutes after the anger-inducing task, researchers worry about chronic anger's potential impact.
"We believe frequent anger may chronically impair your blood vessels," Dr. Shimbo said. "Long-term consequences need further study."
The study doesn't address coping mechanisms, but experts emphasize healthy management of anger.
"Anger is a normal emotion," says Dr. Ebinger. "The key is learning to process it healthily, not letting it fester."
Related: CNN
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional or qualified expert before making any changes to your health regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. The authors and publishers are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information provided in this article.
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