Men who become angry in response to stress are more likely to develop heart disease and suffer heart attacks earlier in life than their calmer counterparts, according to researchers.

Dr. Patricia P. Chang and colleagues from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine studied a group of over 1000 men followed for 32-48 years and examined their incidence of premature heart disease compared with anger responses to stress during early adult life.

Men who were classified as having the highest level of anger reported experiencing expressed or concealed anger, irritability, and participation in gripe sessions in a questionnaire they filled out as young adults. Over the years, the incidence of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, was monitored in the group. Early, or premature, heart disease was defined as occurring before the age of 55. This study, published in the April 2002 issue of

Archives of Internal Medicine , revealed that the group with highest levels of anger in response to stress were more than three times as likely to develop premature heart disease when compared with their less angry colleagues and over six times more likely to have a heart attack by age 55. This study is unique in that it shows that anger reactions as young adults can affect not only the incidence, but also the timing, of heart disease development.

Anger is known to stimulate the release of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine which are part of the body's "fight or flight"response to acute stress or threats. These hormones increase heart rate and blood pressure and contract blood vessels, all of which can reduce blood flow to the heart. 

If you tend to respond with high levels of anger in day-to-day situations, you can take steps to reduce your health risks from this potentially dangerous emotion. Learning effective anger management strategies, through counseling, books, or tapes can help you redirect that energy you are wasting on anger in more positive directions.