People who get angry really do risk a heart attack or a stroke, researchers warned today.
Researchers found that in the two hours after an outburst the risk of suffering a heart attack increases by five times and the risk of a stroke by three times.
For every 10,000 people at high risk of heart disease, one spate of temper a month would lead to four extra heart attacks, according to the report in the European Heart Journal.
And even those at low risk would experience one heart attack for every 10,000 people.
The findings come from an analysis of nine studies of heart disease.
Researcher Dr Elizabeth Mostofsky, of the Harvard School of Public Health, Massachusetts, USA, said the findings were consistent across all the studies.
She said: “Although the risk of experiencing an acute cardiovascular event with any single outburst of anger is relatively low, the risk can accumulate for people with frequent episodes of anger.
"This is particularly important for people who have higher risk due to other underlying risk factors or those who have already had a heart attack, stroke or diabetes."
The British Heart Foundation said people who suffered frequent anger and stress should discuss it with a doctor.
Doireann Maddock, of the Foundation, said: “The way you cope with anger and stress is also important. Learning how to relax can help you move on from high pressure situations.
"Many people find that physical activity can help to let off steam after a stressful day."
Outbursts of anger as a trigger of acute cardiovascular events: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Heart Journal 4 March 2014; doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu033
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