Previous research has suggested a link between acute episodes of anger and an increased risk of heart attack. In order to understand this connection better, researchers from multiple institutions recruited 280 healthy young adults and conducted a study. Participants were randomized into different groups where they were asked to recall events that made them angry, sad, anxious, or remain neutral. Blood samples and measurements of blood flow and pressure were taken before and after the exercise. The results, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, showed that anger may affect the heart by impairing blood vessel function. People in the angry group had significantly reduced blood vessel dilation compared to the control group, which could signify early markers for conditions like atherosclerosis.
The impairment seen in blood vessel dilation is an important mechanism to study as it can lead to various cardiovascular diseases. The study found that there was no damage to the endothelial cells, which regulate blood vessel dilation. Further research is needed to fully understand how anger specifically impairs blood vessel function. The study could help physicians advise patients with heart disease and anger issues to manage their anger through established techniques like yoga, exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Dr. Holly Middlekauff, a cardiologist from UCLA, pointed out that it is not widely known or accepted that anger can precipitate heart attacks, and that the study provides a biological basis for this theory.
The researchers intentionally selected healthy participants for the study in order to eliminate confounding variables, but this limitation also means that the findings may not be applicable to older individuals with chronic conditions. Future research is suggested to include populations with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, as well as individuals from different backgrounds. The study is considered a foundational study, and further research is necessary to fully understand the impact of anger on heart health. The factors that could be at play in impairing blood vessel dilation include stress hormones, inflammation, and the activation of the autonomic nervous system.
One limitation of the study is that it only looked at one bout of provoked anger, and future studies may benefit from examining chronically angry individuals. Understanding how anger affects blood vessel function could help in educating patients about managing their anger to prevent potential heart issues. The study offers a starting point in unraveling the link between anger and heart health, and the findings could be beneficial in guiding future research and interventions for individuals with heart disease and anger issues.
