1. Negative effects of brief anger on heart health and blood vessels
2. Impact of short-lived anger on cardiovascular and vascular function.
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Experiencing anger is a normal part of life, but new research suggests that simply recalling a past incident that made you angry could have negative effects on your heart. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, spending time ruminating on a past anger-inducing situation can impair your blood vessels’ ability to relax, leading to decreased blood flow.
Lead author Dr. Daichi Shimbo, a professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, explained that impaired vascular function is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Previous observational studies have linked negative emotions, particularly anger, to cardiovascular events. However, there is less research on the impact of anxiety and sadness on heart health.
In the study, Shimbo and his team investigated how anger, anxiety, and sadness affected blood vessel function. Participants were assigned emotional tasks, such as recalling a personal memory that evoked anger, anxiety, or sadness, or performing a neutral task of counting to 100. The researchers measured participants’ heart rate, blood pressure, and blood vessel dilation before and after the tasks.
The results showed that individuals in the anger group exhibited impaired blood vessel dilation for up to 40 minutes after recalling a past anger-inducing memory. This impairment has been linked to conditions like atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, the damage was no longer detected after 40 minutes.
Dr. Shimbo highlighted the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms that link anger to blood vessel dysfunction. He suggested that identifying these mechanisms could help develop targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular events.
Differentiating Negative Emotions in Heart Disease Risk
Interestingly, participants in the anxiety and sadness groups did not show significant changes in their blood vessel linings. The researchers emphasized the importance of not grouping all negative emotions together when assessing their impact on heart disease risk.
All participants in the study were healthy adults from the New York City area, with an average age of 26. They were free of certain medical conditions and were nonsmokers not taking any medications or supplements. However, the researchers noted that the results may not apply to older adults with underlying health conditions.
The study was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and sheds light on the negative effects of anger on heart health. NHLBI psychologist Dr. Laurie Friedman Donze emphasized the potential of anger management interventions in reducing the risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the country.
For individuals struggling with frequent or severe anger, seeking help from a licensed mental health care provider is recommended. Additionally, the American Psychological Association offers tips for managing anger, including relaxation techniques, changing your environment, using humor, and improving communication skills.
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