Losing your temper might do more than leave you in a bad mood; it could also lead to blood vessel damage, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease.
A new study suggests that anger and other negative emotions can directly contribute to blood vessel damage, raising concerns about the long-term impacts of emotional stress.
Previous research has established that damage to blood vessels, which makes them stiffer, harder, and less capable of efficiently relaxing, can lead to an increased risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. The new study aimed to investigate whether anger and other negative emotions might directly cause this type of blood vessel damage.
In the study, scientists randomly assigned 280 participants to complete four different eight-minute tasks designed to elicit specific emotions: recalling a memory that made them angry, remembering a situation that made them anxious, reading depressing sentences designed to make them feel sad, and repeatedly counting to 100 to maintain a neutral emotional state.
Before, during, and after participants completed these tasks, scientists assessed their blood vessels to look for signs of impaired dilation (lower ability to effectively pump blood), damage at the cellular level, and any reduced ability of cells to repair damage.
The results, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, revealed that when participants got angry, blood vessel dilation was impaired for up to 40 minutes after the experiment. However, no changes were observed in the blood vessels of participants exposed to other emotions.
“We saw that evoking an angered state led to blood vessel dysfunction, though we don’t yet understand what may cause these changes,” said lead study author Daichi Shimbo, MD, a professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, in a statement.
Blood Vessel Dysfunction and Anger
Dr. Shimbo further explained the implications of these findings, stating, “Impaired vascular function is linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Investigation into the underlying links between anger and blood vessel dysfunction may help identify effective intervention targets for people at increased risk of cardiovascular events.”
All study participants were relatively young and healthy, with an average age of 26. None of them had a history of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or mental health issues. Participants were prepared for the experiment by relaxing for half an hour beforehand, during which they sat in a comfortable chair in a quiet room and refrained from talking, reading, or using their phones.
However, the experiment had some limitations. The results from young, healthy individuals assessed in a lab setting may not accurately reflect what might happen in older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, or individuals experiencing a wider range of emotions in their daily lives.
Additionally, the study only examined the immediate effects of anger on blood vessels and did not investigate the long-term impact of repeated or sustained anger. The focus was on biomarkers and lab tests to measure brief changes in cellular health within blood vessels, rather than objectively measuring these changes over an extended period.
Stress Management and Anger
Rebecca Campo, PhD, a program director in the division of cardiovascular sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), who wasn’t involved in the new study said, “I think this study’s findings are one piece of a larger picture of what happens physiologically when we experience strong emotions, but I wouldn’t say that the vessels were damaged, because the effects did not last beyond 40 minutes.” Moreover, the study was supported by NHLBI funding.
Dr. Campo emphasized that occasional anger is unlikely to cause long-term health problems. The study was not designed to determine the specific intensity or frequency of anger that might lead to medical issues over time.
“It is likely to be very individualized based on a person’s current health status and ability to cope with stressors,” Dr. Campo says.
Nevertheless, there are proactive steps people can take to manage stress and anger, which may promote heart health. These include engaging in physical activity, practicing relaxation techniques such as meditationor yoga, participating in meaningful activities, and spending time with supportive friends and family.
When stress and anger become overwhelming, seeking professional help through psychotherapy or stress management programs can also be beneficial.
“Seeking professional help with psychotherapy or participating in a stress management program can also help manage stress and difficult emotions, especially when stress is ongoing and unmanageable,” Dr. Campo says.
Overall, while the study provides valuable insights into the immediate effects of anger on blood vessel function, further research is needed to understand the long-term health implications and to develop effective strategies for managing emotional stress to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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