We have all heard someone being described and being so angry that we 'thought they were going to have a heart attack' Just a saying? I learned something very interesting from Pritikin on this. It seems that chronic feelings of anger, research is finding, are closely linked with cardiovascular disease. Investigators studied 2,334 pre-hypertensive adult Americans over an eight-year period and found that men with anger-prone personalities were 71% more likely than their more relaxed counterparts to develop high blood pressure with their risk of heart disease nearly doubled high.

It has been found, too, that the likely culprit raising coronary artery disease in some "Type A” personalities was not their hard-working nature, as previously thought. It was their angry and/or hostile temperaments.

Exactly how anger and other stressful emotions harm the heart is a question of particular interest to researchers. Many believe that there are two likely pathways. One is behavioural. People who frequently get angry tend to adopt poor eating habits, smoke more, and are less likely to exercise – each of which can lead to heart problems. Hostile individuals are also less likely to build good social support or enjoy the lighter, more humorous side of life, two behaviours linked with enhanced wellness and longevity

Anger and other negative emotions like hostility, resentment, anxiety, and worry can also harm the heart by triggering hormonal and other physiological changes in the body. Known as the “Fight or Flight Response,” these changes elevate our heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, metabolism, and muscle tension, and release glucose to increase energy.

So the answer seems to be keep cool! I try, believe me I try but sometimes it is easier said than done!

I agree with your opinion Rob, anger is quite destructive in nature even it can cause some serious damage to the high cholesterol patients, because when we are angry we put a lot of burden on our circulatory system and there is a chance of heart attack when you are angry, so keep your mind relax and care for your heart.

Very good advise although not always easy to do. My husband has recently been having a very bad time at work, he was brought in to sort out unit that was failing and the staff there have resisted him at every turn, using verbal abuse, physical abuse hundreds of grievances, and now an allegation of sexual harassment. To say that I am angry does not begin to describe it, I am having to try and keep him up and myself from exploding, I feel worn out and I can't sleep. I would love to get on top of this anger but at the moment I don't see how.

I agree! Too much of everything can cause really bad...

Anger can be the cause of heart attack, it puts so much pressure on your heart that it may fail to absorb the shock, i people should learn to control there emotions, and remain calm while the situations which are stressful.