Sydney University. Australia: University of Sydney research reveals that the risk of a heart attack is 8.5 times higher in the two hours following a burst of intense anger. Published today inEuropean Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care,
this is the first Australian study to investigate the link between
acute emotional triggers and high risk of severe cardiac episodes.
"Our
findings confirm what has been suggested in prior studies and anecdotal
evidence, even in films - that episodes of intense anger can act as a
trigger for a heart attack," said lead author Dr Thomas Buckley, Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, and researcher at Royal North Shore Hospital.
"The
data shows that the higher risk of a heart attack isn't necessarily
just while you're angry - it lasts for two hours after the outburst.
In
the study, 'anger' was qualified as 5 and above on a 1-7 scale,
referring to 'very angry, body tense, clenching fists or teeth, ready to
burst', up to 'enraged, out of control, throwing objects'. Anger below
this level was not associated with increased risk.
"The triggers
for these burst of intense anger were associated with arguments with
family members (29 per cent), argument with others (42 per cent), work
anger (14 per cent) and driving anger (14 per cent)," said Dr Buckley.
"The data also revealed that episodes of anxiety can also make you more likely to have heart attack.
"High
levels of anxiety were associated with a 9.5 fold increased risk of
triggering a heart attack in the two hours after the anxiety episode.
"Increased
risk following intense anger or anxiety is most likely due to increased
heart rate, blood pressure, tightening of blood vessels and increased
clotting, all associated with triggering heart attacks," he said.
The
study was an investigation of consecutive patients suspected of heart
attack and confirmed by angiography reports at Royal North Shore
hospital. Patients confirmed with acute coronary blockage were admitted,
interviewed about their activities in the 48 hours before the onset of
symptoms, and usual frequencies of activities were recorded for
comparison.
"Although the incidence of anger-triggered heart
attacks is around 2%, of the sample, those people were 8.5 times more
likely to have a heart attack within two hours of the emotional episode.
So while the absolute risk of any one episode triggering a heart attack
is low, this data demonstrates that the danger is very present.
"Our findings highlight the need to consider strategies to protect individuals most at risk during times of acute anger.
Senior author Professor Geoffrey Tofler,
Preventive Cardiology, University of Sydney said "Potential preventive
approaches may be stress reduction training to reduce the frequency and
intensity of episodes of anger, or avoiding activities that usually
prompt such intense reactions, for instance, avoiding an angry
confrontation or activity that provokes intense anxiety.
"Additionally,
improving general health by minimising other risk factors, such as
hypertension, high cholesterol or smoking would also lower risk.
"For
those at high risk, it is possible that medication such as
beta-blockers and aspirin taken at the time of a trigger may interrupt
the link between the stressor and the heart attack. We are currently
recruiting subjects for a study examining this option.
"Our
research suggests that when managing a person with heart disease or in
preventing heart disease in others, a person's frequency of anger and
anxiety should also be assessed and be part of helping individuals to
take care of themselves.
"Our message to people is they need to be
aware that a burst of severe anger or anxiety could lead to a coronary
event, so consider preventative strategies where possible," Dr Tofler
said.
Study: Triggering of acute coronary occlusion by episodes of anger
Fast facts:
- Each year around 56,000 Australians suffer a heart attack.
- This equates to around 153 heart attacks a day, or one heart attack every 9 minutes.
- Each year, almost 9,300 Australians die of heart attack.
- One in four people who die from a heart attack die within the first hour of their first symptom.
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