Anger and Heart Attacks

Anger and Heart Attacks are related according to an article in AARP magazine. The American Association of Retired People Bulletin (December 2016) just came out with an article linking a higher rate of heart attacks when exercising when you are angry. The title says it clearly, “Don’t Exercise When Angry: This surprising Combo Can Cause Heart Attacks.”

Do you ever try to “blow off steam” by exercising? Do you get angry and then try to use that to power your exercise? That may put you at higher risk of a heart attack. Anger and heart attacks are related as this medical research shows. Published in the journal Circulation, more than 12.000 people in 52 countries. AARP concludes that “this doesn’t prove that exercising while angry is bad for you, but going to extremes may be harmful.”

AARP quotes the American Psychological Association to keep anger at bay try 1. Breathe deeply from your gut, 2. repeat a calming phrase like “take it easy” 3. Visualize a relaxing image or experience, 4, do some slow, yoga-like exercises. (If you attend my BRAIN HEALTH webinar I have such an exercise at the end. www.theredwoodclinic.com/brain-consultation).

Anger and Heart Attacks: A Chinese Medicine Explanation

Chinese medicine has an explanation for this.

Each organ and emotion is related to each other by the Laws of the 5-Elements. Each element is related to the next one in line by seasons and energy support. Fire creates Earth. Earth contains Metal. Metal channel Water. Water feeds Wood. Wood fuels Fire.

Likewise, each Element has a corresponding emotion. Anger is related to Wood. Joy is related to Fire. But the HEART is also related to the Fire. Thus, anger can effect the heart.

Frequently we work with people who want to improve their heart and cardiovascular systems through acupuncture. One key approach is to dissipate the anger energy in order to improve circulation throughout the entire body. Anger can cause vasoconstriction, a narrowing of blood vessels. Balancing the emotions through specialized acupuncture treatments can lead you to have more joy and less stress in your heart.

Call for an appointment today to balance your emotions. This does not mean that you will never get angry. After all , anger can be a very powerfully positive emotion that motivates action. At the same time, constantly being angry does not help your health. 510-849-1176.