Have you ever experienced that overwhelming sense of anger where your chest feels tight and your heart is racing? It's a common feeling that we all experience at some point in our lives. Anger is a natural emotion that is triggered by a variety of reasons such as frustration, disappointment, injustice, or even feeling threatened. While it is normal to feel anger, prolonged and uncontrolled anger can have negative effects on our overall health, particularly our heart health.
Research has shown that anger can have a significant impact on our heart health. Frequent outbursts of anger or prolonged feelings of bitterness and resentment can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. This is because anger triggers the body's "fight or flight" response, which causes a surge of adrenaline and cortisol hormones in the body. These hormones can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and the risk of blood clots – all of which can put a strain on the heart and lead to serious health issues.
However, according to the Times City report, the study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association stated that on endothelium-dependent vasodilation which is an important mechanism for maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis and for regulating blood flow, no adverse effect of provoked "anxiety or sadness" were found.
But why is anger specifically bad for our heart health? Here are some reasons:
- As we mentioned earlier, when we feel angry, our body releases stress hormones that cause an increase in blood pressure. This puts extra strain on the heart and can lead to high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
- Anger can also cause our heart rate to spike, which means our heart is working harder than usual. This increased workload on the heart can lead to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and even heart attacks.
- The surge of hormones caused by anger can also increase the risk of blood clots. These clots can block the flow of blood to the heart, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
- Prolonged anger and stress can also weaken our immune system, making us more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases.
- When we are angry, we may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or overeating. These habits can have detrimental effects on our heart health and increase the risk of developing heart diseases.
So how can we avoid anger and protect our heart health? Here are some tips:
Taking deep breaths and focusing on our breathing can help calm us down and reduce the intensity of our anger. Practising mindfulness can help us become more aware of our triggers and better manage our emotions. If you still find yourself struggling with frequent outbursts of anger or difficulty controlling your temper, it may be beneficial to seek professional help.
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