Global Courant
It has been found that the traditional indicators of heart disease, such as smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, are responsible for about 50% of heart attacks. In an attempt to explain the rest, the focus has shifted to psychosocial factors – personality and behavior that give rise to stress hormones. Chronic stress, type A personality, anger, depression and social isolation not only have a direct negative effect on the cardiovascular system, but they also amplify the effects of other cardiac factors. This article focuses on two of these factors: depression and anger.
Fury People with high levels of anger, irritability, cynicism, and aggression have a higher risk of developing heart disease. A heart attack is almost three times more likely in people with high levels of anger than in people who do not experience much anger. Being angry every now and then is normal. Some people express anger easily, while others are furious about a situation. When anger is experienced in connection with a specific event and the amount of anger felt is appropriate for the event, it is usually not a health concern. However, if the anger surfaces too quickly and lasts too long and is suppressed and unexpressed, it can become a cardiovascular risk factor.
The following test, adapted from Pistcatella and Frankin (2003), will help you assess your level of anger.
Read each of the statements below and rate how you would respond to each situation using the following scale.
1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = often, 4 = always
1. It doesn’t take much to make me angry.
2. People tell me to calm down.
3. I blow up at horrible drivers.
4. When I’m upset, I hit the dog or cat or something else.
5. People call me hotheaded.
6. I am furious about the way I am treated in restaurants or shops.
7. When other people’s mistakes slow me down, I can be upset all day long.
8. When the situation is bad enough, I throw things.
9. I swear to let off steam loudly.
10. I feel like hitting someone who makes me very angry.
11. I’ve been told I’m in a bad mood.
12. If you embarrass me in front of someone, I will be furious.
13. I am a very ambitious person, so sometimes I get impatient and angry with other people.
14. I have been known to break things when I get frustrated.
If you scored below 18, you are able to remain calm in situations that would frustrate others. This is a great help in managing your stress levels.
If you scored between 19 and 27, you get angry about as often as most other people.
If you scored between 28 and 35, chances are you are under too much stress or that getting angry has become a habit. Take this score seriously and start making changes now before it adversely affects your health.
If you score more than 35 and you continue to follow the same behaviors and approach to life, you risk serious stress-related health problems.
Depression The link between depression and heart disease and heart attacks has been established for some time. Depression reportedly precedes a heart attack in up to 50% of cases. Aside from the link between depression and heart disease, depression also contributes to a poor lifestyle. Depressed people are more likely to eat poorly, be sedentary, smoke, and drink too much alcohol.
How do you know if depression is a problem for you? The following test, adapted from one developed by Harvard University, is designed to help assess people who are likely to suffer from depression.
Read the following statements and answer yes or no.
1. I feel sad most of the time.
2. I no longer enjoy the things I used to do.
3. I sleep too little or too much.
4. I don’t feel like eating or I eat too much.
5. I can’t make decisions.
6. I have difficulty concentrating.
7. I feel hopeless.
8. I feel worthless.
9. I get tired for no reason.
10. I am thinking about committing suicide.
If you answered yes to four or more of these questions and have felt this way every day for two weeks or more, you may be suffering from depression and should see a health professional for a more complete assessment.
If you answered yes to question 10, seek immediate medical attention regardless of your answer to any of the other questions.
Depression and anger are two of the factors that can lead to the development of heart disease – with associated heart attacks, angina pectoris, cardiac arrests and cardiac arrhythmias. They also reduce the quality of your life. There are many things you can do about these problems. If you suffer from mild or moderate depression, you will benefit by joining the Growez.com program to overcome depression.
References
Aesoph, L. 2001, 6 steps to manage stress, Health World Online. June 2001.
Hippisley-Cox, J. et al.1998, Depression as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in men. British Meical Journal. June 1998.
Pistcatella, JC and Frankin, BA 2003, Take a load off your heart. Workman.
Oberman, A. 2000, Emerging cardiovascular risk factors. Clinical Reviews. Spring 2000.
Depression, anger and heart disease
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