We’ve known for a while that big displays of rage can cause issues for your heart. Think of movie characters who dramatically collapse in the middle of an angry tirade.
But why does that happen?
New research is shedding light on how anger affects our heart health. The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association and looked at healthy adults. They were put through tasks designed to elicit different responses ranging from anxiety to anger.
What researchers found, according to the Washington Post, was a change in the cells that line the inside of blood vessels. Those cells are essential for cardiovascular health for controlling blood flow and preventing inflammation. When the study subjects were angry, there was a significant negative impact on those cells, limiting the blood vessel’s ability to dilate. Interestingly, anxiety and sadness did not have the same effect.
According to cardiologists, these results could be a big breakthrough in heart health, leading doctors to use traditional therapies alongside treatments like anger management.
And while anger is a normal emotion, a behavioral science professor told the Washington Post concern arises when people are angry all the time, taking a serious toll on your body.