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An Instagram reel by fitness coach and influencer Priyank Mehta has sparked widespread discussion online over claims that anger significantly raises the risk of a heart attack. Mehta, who has 976,000 followers on Instagram, cites a Harvard study and warns viewers about the dangers of frequent anger.
The post has received over 10,700 likes, more than 26,000 shares and over 5 lakh views.
So, does anger increase the chances of a heart attack?
The Harvard study explains that emotional or mental stress can trigger physical changes in the body, including reduced blood flow to the heart (ischemia). In people with heart disease, this phenomenon — called mental stress ischemia — may more than double the risk of a heart attack.
In the report, Dr Ahmed Tawakol, director of nuclear cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, noted that stress affects the heart’s smallest blood vessels, known as microvascular disease, which is often more common in women than men.
Another study published in JAMA in November 2021 further reinforced this link. Researchers followed 918 patients with coronary heart disease for about five years. They found that those with mental stress-induced ischemia were more than twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or heart failure compared to those without. Importantly, people who experienced both mental and physical stress ischemia had almost four times the risk. On the other hand, those with only physical stress ischemia showed only a slight, statistically insignificant increase in risk.
A 2020 study highlighted how acute emotional triggers such as anger, grief, or anxiety can lead to cardiovascular events. It explained that stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol increase blood pressure, heart rate, and clotting tendency, which can act as a trigger for heart attacks in vulnerable individuals.
A 2022 review analysed multiple studies on thousands of patients and showed that psychosocial stress factors like anger and depression not only increase the risk of cardiovascular disease but also slow recovery after heart-related events. It highlighted how chronic stress can trigger hormonal imbalances and inflammation, underscoring the need for stress management as an integral part of prevention and treatment.
Yet another study, published in the European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care in February 2023, linked anger to a sharply increased risk of heart attacks. Researchers studied 313 men and women undergoing treatment for a heart attack and asked them to recall their anger levels in the 48 hours before the event. The analysis showed that patients who reported being “very angry—body tense, clenching fists or teeth, ready to burst” were 8.5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack in the two hours that followed. Even moderate anger, such as being visibly hassled or raising one’s voice, appeared as a trigger in some cases. The findings highlight how episodes of intense anger can act as a short-term catalyst for acute coronary events, especially in those already vulnerable.
Dr Gita Prakash, an Internal Medicine Specialist based in Delhi, explained that while anger alone is not the only cause of heart attacks, it can add strain to the heart, particularly in people with existing risk factors.
“The main thing is whether the blood pressure goes up — that sudden spike can have a side effect on the heart. If there’s already narrowing of the blood vessels, anger can become the trigger,” she said.
She noted that individuals with hypertension, diabetes, smoking habits, or silent heart conditions like angina are more vulnerable. “In healthy people, anger can still raise blood pressure and put stress on the heart, but the risks are much higher when combined with existing conditions,” she added.
She emphasised that anger management is key, but it should be part of a larger lifestyle approach. “Stress and anger are very bad for your health. But along with staying calm, you also need a good diet, regular exercise, and healthy habits. Walking, yoga, and meditation all make a big difference.”
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.
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