Bottling Up Anger Bad for Men's Hearts

How you cope with anger may affect your cardiovascular health, especially if you're a man. If you tend to bottle up your emotions, you may be in more danger than men who vent their anger appropriately.

Men ages 50 to 85 who expressed a moderate amount of anger had almost half the risk of nonfatal heart attacks over two years, compared with men who expressed less anger. They dropped their risk of having strokes even more — by 58 percent.

In other studies, suppressing anger has been linked to high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. But this area of research is still relatively new, and more investigation is under way.

Venting some anger may be healthier than the two extremes: letting loose a lot of anger or bottling it all up. Because anger is often viewed as a bad thing, many people try not to express it. But the heart-healthiest route might be to learn how to channel anger effectively. So, the next time you're livid, remember this advice for venting your anger in a healthy way:

  • Be calm and collected. Let people know you're disappointed or displeased without losing your temper.
  • Don't say the first thing that pops into your head. Think through what you want to say.
  • Try not to get upset when you receive criticism. If you can, picture yourself in the other person's shoes.
  • During disagreements, keep a tone that is respectful and reasonable, not pushy.

For More Information
To learn more, visit Heart and Vascular Care, or to find a Sharp-affiliated cardiologist or vascular surgeon, please call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm, or search for a San Diego cardiologist.