The connection between anger and heart attack risk may begin in the arteries

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that bursts of anger may be more detrimental to heart health than anxiety or sadness. The research, conducted by Dr. Daichi Shimbo and his team at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, found that short bursts of anger can temporarily impair the ability of blood vessels to dilate, which is crucial in preventing arteries from hardening.

The study involved 280 young adults with no history of heart disease or stroke, who were asked to recall memories that evoked anger, anxiety, or sadness, as well as remain in an emotionally neutral state. The participants’ blood pressure and endothelial cell health were measured before and after the tasks.

The results showed that individuals who recalled memories of anger experienced a significant decrease in their blood vessels’ ability to dilate, compared to those in the emotionally neutral group. This effect peaked 40 minutes after the anger-inducing task and then returned to normal. Surprisingly, anxiety and sadness did not have a statistically significant impact on blood vessel function.

Dr. Shimbo emphasized the importance of these findings, suggesting that chronic exposure to anger could lead to permanent damage to the arteries over time. Dr. Suzanne Arnold, a cardiologist not involved in the study, noted that the research sheds light on the link between acute anger and cardiovascular disease.

While the study was limited to young adults, Dr. Arnold suggested that future research should explore the effects of negative emotions on older individuals with existing cardiovascular disease. This study highlights the need to better understand how emotions impact heart health and the potential long-term consequences of anger on cardiovascular function.