emotional element. We must learn the many impacts that emotions have on our physical health in order to prevent chronic disease in America.
Violence, anger, aggression, rage, and hostility all increase a certain chemical in our bodies known as epinephrine. Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline. This chemical causes our hearts to work harder by beating faster and drives our blood pressure upward. Studies have shown that men with higher levels of hostility release more epinephrine into their systems over time. Chronically high adrenaline damages the lining of the heart and the blood vessels.
Among all emotions, anger and hostility are the most important determinant of heart disease. According to research data published in the New England Journal of Medicine, mismanaged anger is perhaps the principal factor in predicting heart disease.
In a study conducted by the American Heart Association, it was shown that men who are quick to anger and live a life with chronic cynicism, hostility, and aggression double their risk of heart attack. The risk is doubled immediately following the anger episode for nearly two hours. Research has also shown that chronic hostility also increases cholesterol and hostile male teenagers are at an increased risk of developing heart disease younger in life.
While expression of anger can be detrimental to men’s health, suppression of anger is also unhealthy. Men who suppress their anger are 75 percent more likely to develop heart disease than men who express and release their anger in healthy ways. So what is the solution? How can we experience the emotion of anger without increasing our risk of disease?
The solution is simple. We have to be