In addition to the health risks associated with these poor lifestyle choices, which can range from liver failure to lung cancer, the health problems below have all been linked to chronic anger and the stress it can create for our bodies.
Heart Attack and Stroke
It should come as no surprise for anyone who has felt the tight chest and pounding heart that comes with white-hot rage that anger is bad for our tickers. According to a 2014 study published in the European Heart Journal, in the two hours after an angry outburst, a person’s risk of a heart attack increases five-fold, while risk of stroke increases three-fold. The study further noted that absolute risks increased depending on the participant’s frequency of anger -- in other words, whether it was an isolated angry outburst as compared to frequent, regular outbursts on behalf of the participant. What causes this? Other studies have shown that high levels of cortisol and adrenaline -- two hormones released by the body during periods of stress and anger -- can cause wear and tear on our hearts and cardiovascular systems over time. Higher levels of these hormones may lead to faster rates of atherosclerosis, the process in which fatty plaque builds up in the arteries, which puts us at greater risk of stroke.
During our periods of anger, our hearts beat faster and blood vessels constrict, causing an increase in blood pressure, which can cause damage to artery walls and wear on our hearts. These can put us at greater risk of a heart attack.
Anxiety and Depression
When we rage, we don’t rage in a vacuum. Our angry outbursts often have a target, and that target may grow weary of being on the receiving end of our anger. Chronic anger can cause disruption in our social networks, jobs and family relationships, leading to isolation, career setbacks, and other factors that can cause anxiety and depression.