New research reveals that anger can have a profound impact on our blood vessels, leading to adverse effects on cardiovascular health. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that feelings of anger can harm blood vessel function, whereas sadness and anxiety do not have the same effect.
The study, led by Dr. Daichi Shimbo, professor of medicine at Columbia University, involved 280 participants who were asked to recall feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, or neutrality for eight minutes. The researchers then measured the participants' vascular health before and after the task.
The results showed that anger had a significant impact on blood vessel health, making it harder for vessels to dilate in response to restriction and affecting cellular markers of injury and repair. This impact was seen for up to 40 minutes after the anger-inducing task.
Dr. Shimbo speculates that if someone experiences anger frequently, they may be chronically impairing their blood vessels, leading to long-term adverse effects. This is a concern because anger is a natural human emotion, and it's not possible to avoid feeling it altogether.
So, what can be done about it? Dr. Brett Ford, associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, suggests that learning to process feelings of anger without letting it fester is key. This can involve recognizing what triggers anger, identifying what needs are not being met, and finding healthy ways to manage emotions.
Exercise is also an important factor in managing anger and promoting heart health. Regular physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to feelings of anger.
Dr. Shimbo hopes that this study will encourage people who experience frequent anger to seek behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based stress reduction. He also suggests that finding ways to treat the adverse effects of anger on blood vessels, such as through medication or lifestyle changes, may be an important area of future research.
Overall, this study highlights the importance of managing anger and finding healthy ways to cope with this natural emotion. By recognizing the impact of anger on our cardiovascular health, we can take steps to protect our well-being and reduce our risk of heart disease.
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