Anger may be tied to coronary heart disease

A new study has found that anger and hostility pose a higher risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) in healthy individuals and produce poorer outcomes in patients with an existing heart condition.


The finding, which appears in the March 17 issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggests people with a history of anger may achieve optimal health by finding ways to calm down. Researchers found the hostile emotions predicted a 19 to 24 percent increase in CHD events.


"The harmful association of anger and hostility with CHD events in healthy people was greater in men than women," said Dr.

Yoichi Chida, one of study authors. "This suggests that the accumulation of stress responses in daily life might have a greater impact on future CHD in men."


Dr. Johan Denollet, the co-author of the study's accompanying editorial, said clinicians should take symptoms of anger seriously and may want to consider referring them for behavioral intervention.


Seniors who suffer from chronic rage may find a walk or eating certain foods can help calm their emotions.


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