FOR RELEASE: For more information Nov. 9-12 1:30 p.m. ET, Monday Orange County Convention Center November 10, 1997 Cathy Yarbrough or Brian Henry
(407) 248-5001
NR 97-4591 (Everson/SS97)
Abstract #1551
American Heart Association meeting report:
Losing your cool can be dangerous to your health, new study shows
ORLANDO, Nov. 10 -- "Blowing off steam" can be extremely dangerous, according to a study that finds men who get angry are almost twice as likely to have a stroke as those who are better at diffusing their anger. The study was presented today at the American Heart Association's 70th Scientific Sessions.
Researchers say this is the first study to show a significant relationship between high levels of expressed anger and stroke.
Many people still believe that outward aggressive displays of emotion are healthy ways to relieve anger and tension, but Susan A. Everson, Ph.D., who reported the findings, says that "losing your cool can be very hazardous to your health."
Everson, a research scientist in the department of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, examined the relationship between psychosocial behavior and the number of actual strokes in 2,110 middle-aged men whose average age was 53. The seven-year follow-up study took into account such factors as age, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index (a measure of body size), history of diabetes and use of medications to control blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Participants were drawn form the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Study in Eastern Finland, which examines behavioral, psychosocial and traditional risk factors and their link to disease including heart disease and stroke. Spielberger's Anger Expression Scale, a self- report questionnaire, was used to measure how participants in the study expressed their anger.
The study results should not be construed to mean that going to the opposite extreme -- suppressing anger rather expressing it -- is healthy. "Holding your anger in can be dangerous too," she says. "For example, suppressing anger has been associated with high blood pressure."
Everson adds that it is normal to get angry at times. "Everyone encounters situations that trigger anger. What is important is to find ways to deal with anger and keep it from reaching explosive levels."
One of the keys to control anger is avoiding those triggering situations, she adds. "For example, if being stuck in a traffic jam sends you into a rage, try to avoid peak traffic times, even if it means changing your work schedule. Similarly, if waiting in line is something that makes you very angry, try to plan your visits at off-peak times in places such as the bank or post offices where long lines are common."
It is important to recognize when feelings of anger or rage start to build and then take steps to diffuse those feelings. She encourages people to take deep breaths, count to 10 and generally try to calm themselves before the feelings of anger become overwhelming. Other constructive approaches to managing anger include talking out the situation with a friend or releasing frustration through physical exercise.
Males may be somewhat more inclined toward aggressive displays of anger than females, Everson notes. To find out, she and her colleagues will soon launch a similar study of anger styles as they relate to stroke risk in women.
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Media advisory: Dr. Everson can be reached at (313) 647-9741. (Please do not publish telephone number.)
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