Is Your Anger Damaging Your Heart?

Recent research has shown that heart patients who harbor angry memories may be at risk for an irregular heartbeat that can be life threatening. While we have known for some time that chronic hostility and depression can lead to heart disease, this most recent study adds another piece to the puzzle. Certain heart patients show a particular spike in their EKGs while merely recalling an event that made them angry. These patients are more likely to experience arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). The jury is still out as to whether angry memories can lead to arrhythimias in people with healthy hearts.

If you find yourself ruminating over anger-provoking situations that happened in the past, it's time to let them go -- for your own sake. You might try using some healthy self-talk:

• "Just breathe through it."
• "What will I miss out on if I continue to let this upset me?"
• "Is it really worth ruining my health over it?"
• "Will the incident matter to anyone ten years from now?"

There's a part of you that's hurt and angry. There's another part of you that can help you get beyond the upsetting situation. That's the part to listen to!