Regardless of the physical symptoms-headaches, stomachaches, or digestive problems-the stress remains and leads to heart problems. That is precisely what University of Stockholm researchers have found out at the Stress Research Institute.
Arriving home exhausted after a stressful workday often leads to crashing on the living room couch. It may be taboo for a man to discuss the stresses of the day, and a wife’s suggestion to go out for a few hours in the evening may lead to additional stress.
The Swedish study found that men seem to lack experience in venting their stress, which exposes them to heightened risks for cardiovascular ailments and heart attack. The researchers interviewed 2,800 employees. The findings urge assistance for those who cannot extricate themselves from the cloud of stress.
To determine those at risk for heart attacks, the Swedes analyzed data from 2,755 male study participants. None of them had experienced a heart attack at the beginning of the study. The study questionnaire focused on conflicts they encountered in their daily life at work.
Constanze Leineweber and her group found a surprising correlation between accumulated anger and ensuing heart problems. The study was published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health online in November. (jech.bmj.com/content/early/2009/11/23/jech.2009.088880)
Somatic Consequences of Suppressed Anger
Anger makes us feel threatened and causes an excessive secretion of adrenaline, the stress hormone, and prepares us to fight or flee. Those reactions guaranteed survival thousands of years ago but are counterproductive these days. In such a state, one’s blood pressure climbs, one becomes nervous, the muscles tense, and the digestive system functions are reduced.
All the above symptoms make it harder to keep a clear head and still find a solution. The blood pressure elevation leads to heart stress. The outcome often can be a heart attack or other serious heart ailments.
Survival in Letting Go
Scientists suggest that risk of suffering a heart attack depends on strategies adopted by the individual, such as suffering quietly during a conflict or letting go.
The study queried participants about how they dealt with conflicts at their workplace: if they let certain incidents pass, made comments, stated their opinions, or ran away from the problem. Other questions regarded the incidents of headaches, the frequency of stomach ailments, and the ability to let go of their bad mood once they arrived home.
The study took other factors into consideration, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, cholesterol levels, body weight, and workplace demands.
Based on the replies, the researchers calculated a heart-risk index. Participants were about 41 years old, and the study was conducted for more than 11 years. Forty-seven of the subjects experienced a heart attack or died from heart attacks.
The study result pointed out the immense benefits of practicing conflict resolution.
Outcomes for those dealing effectively with conflicts prolonged their lives. Those who took conflicts lightly had a much better chance for long-term survival compared to those who were unable to resolve conflicts. Those who kept a cool head and were able to deal with a situation resolved problems better.
Read this article in German: epochtimes.de/articles/2009/12/12/526767.html
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