MHVI Owners Manual . Lifestyle Management . Coping With Cardiovascular Disease . Anger

Anger is another emotion that can affect your health. There was once a lot of talk about the "Type A personality:" the personality type that is competitive, driven, tense, and hostile. New studies show that of all of these traits, the one most closely linked to cardiovascular disease is hostility. It is natural to feel anger at times during recovery from a major illness or surgery, but if you have trouble handling your anger, tend to view the world in a cynical and distrustful way, or find you have strong aggressive impulses, you may need to work on ways to better manage these feelings.

Again, the three steps described in the previous pages are a good place to start in handling anger. Increasing your awareness of anger early in its process, assessing its cause and practicing coping strategies can all help. Another strategy to use as you recognize that you are becoming angry is to ask yourself if this event or situation is really worth getting so upset about. Does it really matter? It seems awful now, but how will you feel about it in a month? In a year? This technique is easier said than done, but worth the effort.

Often, you may feel that your anger is justified. Even in this situation, it is better to walk away and cool down instead of lashing out. Again, it is easier said than done. Anger often comes when other feelings, such as frustration, are not recognized or expressed. Finding an appropriate way to express how you feel often can prevent more abrupt and angry responses. Don't be afraid to seek help with this emotion.

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