Getting angry may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke for 40 minutes afterwards, study suggests

Researchers in the US believe anger can impair the function of blood vessels The next time a cold caller or traffic jam boils your blood, take a deep breath and try to relax. Researchers found brief moments of anger can impair the function of blood vessels, potentially raising the risk of a heart attack or stroke for up to 40 minutes. Patients experiencing a stroke can often have their face drop on one side, struggle to lift both arms and have slurred speech, while time is essential, as immediate treatment for a transient ischemic attack or minor stroke can substantially slash the risk of a much deadlier major stroke Researchers described this effect as an 'impairment in blood vessel dilation'. The researchers found: 'Tasks that recalled past events causing anger led to an impairment in blood vessel dilation, from zero to 40 minutes after the task. Dr Glenn Levine, a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, who wasn't involved with the research, said: 'This study adds nicely to the growing evidence base that mental wellbeing can affect cardiovascular health and that intense acute emotional states, such as anger or stress, may lead to cardiovascular events.