The anger is a emotion common that we all experience, but when it becomes frequent or intense, it can have profound negative effects on our physical health. It not only affects our mind, but also our heart and our gastrointestinal system.
A recent study of Journal of the American Heart Association has revealed that Anger can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks. The researchers examined how three different emotions—anger, anxiety, and sadness—affect the heart functioning. The participants were subjected to tasks that induced each of these emotions, and then the Blood flow in your arms using a pressure cuff.
The results detailed by The Wall Street Journal showed that those in the angry group had worse blood flow compared to the other groups, as their blood vessels They did not dilate properly. This suggests that anger can damage the arteries over time, increasing the risk of heart diseases. Daichi Shimboprofessor of medicine at Columbia University and lead author of the study, speculates that these “chronic insults” to the arteries could leave a person vulnerable to heart disease if they become angry frequently.
Anger not only affects the heart, but also the gastrointestinal system. When someone gets angry, the body produces numerous proteins and hormones that increase inflammation. This Chronic inflamation can increase the risk of several diseases.
The sympathetic nervous system, or “fight or flight system,” is also activated during episodes of anger, diverting blood flow from the intestine towards the main muscles. Stephen Lupedirector of behavioral medicine in the department of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at the Cleveland Clinicexplains that this slows down movement in the gastrointestinal tractwhich can cause problems such as constipation.
Additionally, anger causes the spaces between cells in the lining of the intestines to open, allowing more food and waste to pass through these spaces, creating more inflammation. This inflammation can manifest itself in symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation.
Anger can have a profound impact on our brain and cognitive ability. According to Joyce Tam, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, anger involves nerve cells in the prefrontal cortexthe front part of the brain that affects attention, cognitive control, and the ability to regulate emotions.
When we get angry, the body releases stress hormones in the bloodstream. High levels of these hormones can damage nerve cells in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Damage to the prefrontal cortex can affect decision making decisionsattention and executive function, while the hippocampus, being the main part of the brain for memory, may see its ability to learn and retain information interrupted.
It is crucial to identify if we are angry too frequently or intensely. According to Antonia Seligowskiassistant professor of psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical Schoolthere is no hard and fast rule, but we should worry if we are angry on more days than not, or if we experience anger for large parts of the day.
Occasional anger is normal and part of the human experience, but when a negative emotion is prolonged and becomes more intense, it can be detrimental to our health. Seligowski suggests paying attention to the frequency and duration of our anger to determine if we are experiencing worrying levels.
There are several strategies to manage anger in a way that minimizes its negative impact on our health. Stephen Lupe of the Cleveland Clinic recommends techniques such as meditationhypnosis and full attention. These practices can help reduce the body’s response to anger and promote greater calm.
Another approach is to learn to express anger in a healthier way. Instead of repressing or exploding, you can try to acknowledge and express anger constructively. For example, instead of yelling or throwing objects, you can say, “I’m angry because X, Y, and Z, and that’s why I don’t want to eat with you or I need a hug or support.” This type of communication It can help mitigate anger and prevent its buildup.
In addition, Antonia Seligowski suggests performing exercises of mental healthlike certain forms of talk therapy either breathing exerciseswhich can improve some of the physical problems caused by anger.
