The anger and hostility rise 19% the risk of heart disease and depression increases three times the risk of dying after a heart attack

-A review of studies published in Spanish journal of Cardiology (REC) has revealed that negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, depression and stress are triggering factors of cardiovascular disease in people who already have other risk factors such as hypertension, unfavorable lipid profile, prevalence of abdominal obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes mellitus or having suffered from a myocardial infarction previously

– for its part, another study in women, researchers from the UNED, has revealed that the suppressed anger or which is not expressed properly, have a negative impact on cardiovascular health in part by their association a worst control of frequent cardiovascular risk factors such as blood both systolic and diastolic hypertension

-the mechanism by which acts of anger is as follows: a few hormones called Catecholamines produce a harmful effect direct on the cardiovascular system and cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, as well as narrowing of the arterial vessels, including the coronary, and release of favourable factors of the formation of thrombi, resulting in ischemia myocardial

– the Takotsubo syndrome ” is a particular disease simulating acute myocardial infarction but with normal coronary, and has been associated with a massive activation of the sympathetic system with release of Catecholamines or hormones of stress, due to circumstances such as the death of a loved

-La Spanish Heart Foundation (CSF) recommends both the general population and persons who have suffered a heart attack leading a healthy diet and practise exercise on a regular basis, as previous, raises the production of endorphins (hormone of happiness), and helps prevent negative emotions. In addition, mental health professionals, as psychologists or psychiatrists, who can provide to the patients different tips for self-control, attention full or even pharmacological measures in specific cases

Madrid, April 2012.- the Spanish Heart Foundation (FEC) reports that negative moodssuch as anger and depression, they contribute to a worse cardiovascular health. An example is the review of studies conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina and published in magazine Spanish Cardiology (REC) which showed that experience anger and hostility rises 19% the risk of coronary heart disease and depression increases up to 3 times the risk of dying by a cardiac death.

These States are not properly considered as cardiovascular risk factors, but help develop ischemic heart disease in people at high risk, such as those who already have high blood pressure, a profile unfavourable lipid, diabetes mellitus, obesity of abdominal predominance, sedentary life or history of myocardial infarction ”, specifies the DRA. Sandra Rosillo, Member of the Spanish society of Cardiology (SEC) and cardiologist of the Hospital de La Paz, Madrid.

Thus, according to this work, these negative emotions involved both in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, which increases the number of deaths of cardiovascular origin and recurrent cardiac events. Therefore, how much more anger and more depression suffers, the greater the risk of suffering a cardiac episode and die for this cause.

So far, the ira is, along with depression, emotion whose cardiovascular health effects have been most extensively studied. However, both this state of mind and other negative emotions, we have analyzed little women. Another recent study, researchers from the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), published in Psicothema and done at more than 320 women aged between 17 and 60 years, concludes that the wrath of poorly controlled, to suppress it in excess (interiorized wrath or anger-in) or for not knowing channeling it or her adequately express (exteriorizada wrath or anger-out), but in uncontrolled way, has a negative impact on the cardiovascular health of females at specific moments.

In addition, in this research, women with a predominance of interiorized ira presented higher figures for both systolic and diastolic, arterial tension with a 23.8% and 31%, respectively. While those with outsourcing of the ira presented less frequently hypertension. Being relevant figures, due to the frequency of Association of hypertension and the development of cardiovascular disease.

The mechanisms by which the negative emotions worsen the cardiovascular health are not well known. In the case of the ira it is known that this has an acute effect which induces the activation of the sympathetic system with release of hormones known as Catecholamines (stress hormone). These hormones have a clear impact on the cardiovascular system, because they produce an increase in the heart rate, blood pressure, as well as vasoconstriction or narrowing of the arterial vessels including the coronary and release of favourable factors of formation of thrombi, this resulting in ischemia myocardial ”, explains the DRA. Rosillo.

In this context of heart damage by excessive activation of the sympathetic system, secondary to stressful situations such as the death of a beloved family member, has described a particular entity known as heart disease by stress or Takotsubo syndrome, which is described as a heart attack without injury in coronary arterieswhich is reversible, although initially indistinguishable from an acute myocardial infarction.

As result of negative emotions, patients may have palpitations, pain or oppression in the chest, shortness of breath, even in extreme cases, loss of consciousness. Before this symptomatology is recommended, especially if it is prolonged or persistent, see a doctor ”, advises the DRA. Rosillo.

To handle negative emotions and avoid its harmful effects on cardiovascular health, the FEC recommends changes in lifestyle, to make it more healthy. Recommendation traditional to eat a healthy diet, as well as the practice of regular exercise are associated with a greater mental and physical well-being by releasing hormones other than Catecholamines known as endorphins. More specific techniques as those of emotional self-control (control of breathing, relaxation techniques), mindfulness, or pharmacological measures may require support from an optional ”, says the doctor.

In fact, in cardiac rehabilitation units, where it assists people who have suffered a heart attack and that may feel sad, depressed, with anguish and fear of death, educated them so that they resume their lives with a healthy routine that includes a healthy diet, exercise adapted to their circumstances and weight loss. We do not have a formula specific and much less easy for the resolution of emotional problems, but at the start of a healthy routine patients perceive and feel feel better, change their way of thinking and improves all your psicoemocional health ”, said DRA. Rosillo.

The SEC and the FEC

The Spanish society of Cardiology (SEC) and the Spanish Heart Foundation (CSF) are an organization whose vital impetus is to ensure the cardiovascular health of the population through clinical and research, as well as educational and informative excellence. Both entities have become the benchmark in Spanish in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in our country.

The SEC has more than 4,000 partners among cardiologists and professionals related to cardiovascular diseases, from European, Latin American and international Spanish.

The FEC has more than 4,000 members, including cardiologists of the SEC, professional nursing in cardiology, associations of patients, private entities and private partners.