Anger really harmful to cardiovascular health

We all lose our temper from time to time, and it never feels good. An angry outburst is almost always leaves on exhausted, unhappy and feeling drained. We've all been told a bad temper and anger are bad for us at some point in our life.
Now a research study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health, has found that the risk of a heart attack or stroke is much higher for about two hours immediately following an angry outburst. The risk for a heart attack is increased almost five-folds, whereas the risk is increased two-folds for stroke. This finding is more consistent in individuals with preexisting risk factors.
According to the researchers, 'At a population level, the risk with a single outburst of anger is relatively low - one extra heart attack per 10,000 people per year could be expected among people with low cardiovascular risk who were angry only once a month, increasing to an extra four per 10,000 people with a high cardiovascular risk. But the risk is cumulative, meaning temper-prone individuals will be at higher risk still.'

It is not exactly clear how anger causes the increased risk, but a constant rise in stress level might be significant. Chronic stress is known to lead to high blood pressure which itself is a risk factor for heart diseases. Use of alcohol consumption or smoking for relieving the stress might further exacerbate that risk. Yet, further research is required to fully understand how anger could lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular events and what steps might successfully abate that risk.

This study involved the data analysis of nine studies in which anger and cardiovascular events were self-reported over a period of two decades. It was published in the European Heart Journal on March 3rd, 2014.


P.S: 
References:

Angry people 'risking heart attacks' (BBC World- Health 03/03/14)

Angry outbursts may raise heart attack, stroke risk (CNN Health 03/03/14)

 

 

Heart Attacks, Strokes and Apples

We all heard our parents encouraging us to eat fresh fruit and vegetable, specially apples, and all of them used the old Victorian saying " An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away" to further motivate us. Well, more then a century later it still holds true, especially for the above 50 population.
According to an article published in the christmas edition of the British Medical Journal, a research study led by Dr Adam Briggs of the BHF Health Promotion Research Group at Oxford University came to the conclusion that about 8500 deaths from heart attacks and strokes could be averted if all adults of 50 years and above were prescribed an a apple a day. The significance of this outcome is more apparent when compared to another recent study that showed that if adults 50 and above not already on it, were prescribed statins, it could prevent about 9400 deaths from heart diseases. 
Dr. Adam Briggs says 'It just shows how effective small changes in diet can be, and that both drugs and healthier living can make a real difference in preventing heart disease and stroke.' But the researchers stress that this does not encourage individuals already on statins to stop taking them, just try adding apples to your daily diet.
Although apples appear to be exceptionally good for maintaining a healthy heart, it is clearly essential to eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetable on a daily basis to stay healthy.





P.S:
An Apple A Day Keeps The Heart Doctor Away (University of Oxford)
Apple Nutrition and Composition Facts(USDA Database)