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A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University in New York has uncovered a significant association between anger and heightened risks of heart attack and stroke.

The findings, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, indicate that short bursts of anger can lead to alterations in blood vessel function, potentially predisposing individuals to cardiovascular events.

The study, which focused on young adults with no prior cardiovascular issues, revealed that recalling past anger-inducing experiences resulted in impaired blood vessel functioning, New Scientist reported.

While none of the participants experienced immediate cardiac events during the study, the observed effects underscore the potential long-term consequences of intense emotional states on cardiovascular health.

Lead researcher Daichi Shimbo emphasized the importance of these findings, suggesting that recurrent episodes of anger could exacerbate existing health conditions, leading to irreversible damage over time.

The research involved 280 volunteers who were exposed to various emotional stimuli, including anger, anxiety and sadness, as well as a control group. Measurements taken during the study, including blood pressure and blood vessel dilation capacity, indicated a distinct response among those exposed to anger-inducing scenarios.

According to the study, individuals prompted to recall angry experiences exhibited a notable decrease in blood vessel dilation capacity lasting approximately 40 minutes. This response was not observed in participants exposed to other emotional stimuli or in the control group.

"It is possible that [these effects] occur routinely throughout the day or week with potentially long-term consequences," the researchers stated. "Repeated episodes of a negative emotion may affect cardiovascular physiology over time, causing... irreversible damage."

Dr. Andrew Steptoe of University College London highlighted the significance of the study's findings in understanding the relationship between emotions and cardiovascular health. While acknowledging the challenges of managing intense emotions, he emphasized the importance of interventions to mitigate potential risks.

Dr. Glenn Levine of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston praised the study for advancing understanding of the mechanisms underlying psychological states' impact on cardiovascular health.