From the Guidelines
Anger can have significant negative effects on both physical and mental health, increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, weakened immune function, and digestive problems, as evidenced by a study that found individuals who experienced a higher level of anger were 3.2 times more likely to have a fatal or nonfatal coronary event 1.
Health Effects of Anger
The health effects of anger are multifaceted, impacting both physical and mental well-being. Some key effects include:
- Increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke
- Weakened immune function
- Digestive problems
- Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and poor decision-making
- Damaged relationships leading to social isolation
Managing Anger
To manage anger effectively, several techniques can be employed, including:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Meditation
- Regular exercise
- Cognitive reframing to change how triggering situations are interpreted
- Professional help through cognitive behavioral therapy for severe anger issues
- Medications like SSRIs or mood stabilizers may be prescribed by a healthcare provider in some cases
Importance of Addressing Anger
Addressing anger is crucial not just for emotional well-being but also for long-term physical health. Chronic anger can lead to inflammation throughout the body, damage blood vessels, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, as highlighted in a study that found the relative risk of experiencing another MI was 2.3 within 2 hours of an anger episode in post-MI patients 1. Furthermore, a more recent study emphasizes the importance of psychosocial management, including the assessment of psychological distress and other psychosocial concerns, in cardiac rehabilitation programs 1.
Recent Findings
Recent research continues to support the notion that psychological well-being, including the management of anger, is crucial for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. A 2024 update from the American Heart Association and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation underscores the importance of psychosocial management in cardiac rehabilitation programs, highlighting the need to address psychological distress, including anger, hostility, and loneliness, to improve cardiovascular outcomes 1.
From the Research
Health Effects of Anger
- Anger has been linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), with chronic feelings of anger, cynical distrust, and antagonistic behavior associated with an increased risk of CVD initiation and progression 2.
- The frequency of strong anger episodes has been linked to an increased risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and CVD mortality, particularly in men and individuals with a history of diabetes 3.
- Anger has also been associated with stress exposure and reactivity, exaggerated autonomic function, reduced heart rate variability, platelet aggregation, and inflammation, all of which can contribute to the development of CVD 2.
Management of Anger and CVD
- Clinical and pharmacologic treatment of anger and hostility has the potential to reduce anger and its health-damaging effects 2.
- Non-pharmacologic interventions such as exercise, yoga, and meditation have been shown to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, which are often comorbid with CVD 4.
- Yoga and meditation have been found to control risk factors for CVD, such as hypertension, type II diabetes, and insulin resistance, and may even regress early and advanced coronary atherosclerosis 5.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions have been found to be effective in addressing psychological stress in CVD patients, improving quality of life, and mitigating CV complications 6.