Your emotions have a tremendous impact on your health, and one particularly detrimental emotion is anger. Uncontrollable anger has been linked to inflammation in the body, which researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered, can potentially lead to heart disease.
What is Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)?
Intermittent Explosive Disorder, or IED, is a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of unwarranted and excessive anger. These outbursts often result in the person with IED harming others or damaging property. This level of anger doesn’t just put a strain on your relationships with others, it can disrupt your entire body and make you more prone to inflammation – a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease.
Markers of Inflammation and Aggression
In their study, researchers examined blood levels of two markers of inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Increased levels of these markers have been connected with impulsive aggressive behaviors. The findings revealed that average CRP levels were double in those with IED compared to normal, healthy individuals.
Although it’s still uncertain whether inflammation triggers aggression or aggressive feelings trigger inflammation, the clear connection between the two shows that they are biologically linked and can be a damaging combination, as noted by researcher Emil Coccaro.
How to Recognize and Control Anger
Recognizing the signs that you’re becoming angry, and taking steps to calm down, can help protect your heart and ensure your relationships with others remain unaffected. Here are some tips on how to identify and control your anger:
- Listen to your body: Physical signs such as muscle tension, a pounding heart, or feelings of heat wash over you could indicate the onset of anger.
- Countdown: Slowly count from ten to one in your mind. This will give you time to calm down and think of a better response to the situation that’s making you angry.
- Deep breaths: When you feel anger rising, pause and take a series of deep breaths to allow your body to calm down and relax.
- Find a healthy outlet: Engage in physical activities such as brisk walking or any other exercise you enjoy to help relieve pent-up anger and reduce stress.
- Manage your stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness meditation or yoga to develop better control over your emotions.
- Reframe your thoughts: Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of a situation, try to reframe your thoughts and see the situation from another person’s point of view or in a positive light.
- Build emotional resilience: Develop a strong support system of family and friends who can help you cope with life’s challenges and manage your emotions effectively.
The Connection Between Heart Disease and Emotional Health
Emotions play a vital role in shaping our overall health. Negative emotions, such as anger and anxiety, can contribute to increased inflammation – a known risk factor for heart disease. By recognizing and managing such harmful emotions, you can lower your risk of developing a variety of health problems, including heart disease.
In contrast, cultivating positive emotions and practicing healthy coping mechanisms can help to foster good health and well-being. For example, laughter has been found to promote blood flow, while maintaining social connections may translate into better health outcomes.
In conclusion, your emotions can have a dramatic impact on your overall health. It’s important to become aware of negative emotions like anger and learn how to manage them in healthy ways. Doing this not only benefits your relationships but can help protect your heart and ensure better well-being.
