Getting angry or anxious can up your heart attack risk. Clenching your fists when your blood is boiling may seem like a good way to let off steam, but researchers have found that getting that angry could have some serious side effects.  “Researchers in Australia found that people’s risk of having a heart attack is 8.5 times higher during the two hours following an episode of intense anger, compared with when people feel less angry. Anxiety is even more threatening, the researchers found. People’s heart attack risk is 9.5 times higher during the two hours following elevated levels of anxiety (higher than the 90th percentile on an anxiety scale) than during times of lower anxiety levels, according to the study.” The study adds to evidence that your emotions can affect physiologic functions in your body, like what your heart is doing. “It’s likely that the increased risk of a heart attack following intense anger and anxiety is the result of increased heart rate and blood pressure, tightening of blood vessels, and increased clotting, all associated with triggering of heart attacks. But both anger and anxiety can be managed with treatment.” The researchers point out that the risk of having a heart attack is still small, but learning to handle your emotions may benefit your heart in the long run

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