Don’t go ballistic! Study reveals how anger can increase heart attack, stroke risk

According to recent research, maintaining your composure is essential for cardiovascular health. Anger can momentarily impair blood vessel function, which may raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

280 adults participated in the study and were asked to recollect an upsetting experience, an anxiety-inducing event, a depressing scenario, or to stay emotionally neutral. Blood vessel health was observed by researchers both before and after these tasks.

The findings were unambiguous: anger impeded healthy blood flow by dramatically reducing blood vessel dilatation, which occurs when blood vessels widen, for as long as 40 minutes. This is alarming since a healthy heart and brain depend on sufficient blood flow. Strokes and heart attacks frequently happen when blood flow to these organs is blocked.

Although the precise cause of anger’s detrimental effects on blood vessels is still unknown, the study emphasizes the possible connection between cardiovascular health and emotional well-being. It’s interesting that sadness and anxiety did not have the same negative consequences.

Those who battle heart disease and anger can find hope in this research. It may be essential to learn healthy anger management methods to safeguard cardiovascular health, such as yoga, exercise, or cognitive behavioral therapy.

There are some restrictions on the study. Instead of in actual settings, participants were observed in controlled environments. The young average age of the participants also raises concerns regarding the applicability of the findings to older adults who may be taking medication and have pre-existing health conditions.

For the benefit of your heart and blood vessels, these findings offer compelling evidence, nevertheless, that you should prioritize emotional well-being and control your anger.