A study conducted by Columbia University in New York found that episodes of anger can increase the risk of death by damaging the heart and blood vessels. The study included 280 participants who were assigned one of four emotional tasks. They had to either recall a personal memory that provoked their anger, recall a specific anxiety-provoking memory, read a series of frustrating sentences, or repeatedly count to 100 to induce a neutral state.
The research team found that anger led to the dilation of blood vessels, nearly doubling for up to 40 minutes. The researchers stated, "Cells in the blood vessels stop functioning properly during bouts of anger from bad memories, which leads to restricted blood flow and increased pressure on the heart, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke."
They clarified that anxiety and sadness do not pose the same health risks as anger. Study author Professor Daichi Shimbo noted, "Other studies have linked negative emotions with heart attacks or other cardiovascular events. We observed that inducing a state of anger led to vascular dysfunction, related to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Investigating these underlying links may help determine effective targets for necessary medical intervention."
Professor Glenn Levine from Baylor College of Medicine remarked on the findings: "This study adds to the growing body of evidence that mental health can affect cardiovascular health."
