Making Healthy Choices

Hostility

Anger and Your Health

Anger and Heart Health
Anger is a normal response everyone experiences from time to tome. If it becomes a common occurrence, however, it can damage both mental and physical health. Anger appears to be especially toxic to the heart. Numerous studies have linked anger and hostility to a higher risk of heart disease. One study showed that during the 2 hours following an episode of anger, the risk of a heart attack more than doubled. 

One well researched study of the affect of anger on the heart was conducted at Harvard. Their study group was 1,305 men who were in good health (no heart disease). They administered an Anger Level Assessment and then divided the men into three groups. Those with "low anger", middle level anger and "High anger." They then followed the group for 7 years. They discovered that those with high anger had about three times the risk of heart attack and heart disease than those with low anger, even after adjusting for smoking, cholesterol, drinking, body weight, blood pressure, and family history¹.

Duke University looked at anger and heart risk in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. They gave  12,986 people a brief Anger Test and then followed them for 6 years. They found that people who scored "high anger" had a 63% increased risk overall for heart disease after adjusting for other coronary risk factors, age, and education level. Those with a modest anger score had a 35% increased risk. If they looked just at those with normal blood pressure the risk for the high risk group was an amazing 2.7 times higher risk². You can take this Anger Quick Test to see how you score compared to this study population.

Dealing With Anger 
If you find yourself scoring higher than you would like on the Anger Scale, give the following anger management concepts serious consideration. If you are already prone to heart disease you may also want to talk to a counselor and get specific help in dealing with anger in your life. Diffusing anger could be as important to your health as controlling your blood pressure or cholesterol level. It may save your life!

• Getting angry and venting doesn't reduce your stress level, it adds to it!
• It's not wrong to get angry. It's what you do with your anger that makes the difference. Venting by yelling or hitting doesn't help, it only makes things worse. Taking a break or releasing anger with physical activity is a better choice.
• Anger is largely a response you choose to make. You hear the phrase, "He made me angry." No one can make you angry without your consent.
• When you start to get angry, ask yourself, "Is it really worth getting angry over?" Most of the time it really isn't.
• Channel anger to benefit yourself. Use this energy as motivation to change what may have needed changing a long time.
• Anger often follows fear, frustration, or hurt. Rather than getting angry, deal with the source of the problem. Get help if need to resolve problems and conflicts.
• One good antidote for anger is, "I'm sorry."

References
1. Harvard Heart Letter, May 1997.
2. Circulation, Vol. 101, No. 17, 2034-39.

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Anger Quick Test

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