Anger, Stress and the Heart

Two studies just released build on earlier evidence that anger and stress produce physiological events that greatly increase the risk of heart disease and heart attack.

Johns Hopkins' researchers found quick-tempered young men had triple the risk of premature heart disease and early heart attack. Following 1,000 medical students at Johns Hopkins between 1948 and 1964, the follow up report from these physicians found that 35 percent of the "angry" men had developed cardiovascular disease with average onset at 56. The study author, Dr. Patricia Chang, reports that anger causes a stress-related release of hormones that constricts blood vessels, putting extra stress on the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and, eventually, heart attack.

At a recent American Heart Assn. Scientific Forum, University of North Carolina researchers demonstrated that long-term anger and fatigue together form a type of stress that greatly increases risk of heart attack. The study tracked 12,453 men and women from 1990 to 1998. Those scoring highest on either "anger" or "fatigue" were 42 percent more likely to have a heart attack; high scores on both were 69 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack. Physician's Weekly May 13, 2002 Vol. XIX, No. 20

From Mike:
I used to facilitate anger workshops. What I learned from them is:

• The emotion of anger is occasionally appropriate but most often over-rated. What would Jesus, Lao Tse, Hafis have done instead of acting angry?

• Many cannot express appropriate anger or any anger at all. Often they can't quietly just say "no" and overreact out of fear.

• Many who learn to express anger overdo it and never learn how harmful it is to their hearts and minds until they die being "right."

More about at Emotions and Breathing.

Ritalin is NOT the answer.