Friday, April 04, 2008
Women's Health
by Rachel Matecki
Enjoy venting problems to friends? Be cautious ladies: According to a Reuter's Health article from Yahoo news, women who make a habit of venting their anger could be more likely to develop blockages in the heart arteries.
Though past studies have linked anger to a greater risk of heart disease in men, the latest findings of the Journal of Women's Health suggest there is a relationship between anger and heart health in women. These researchers found that women who tended to outwardly express their anger had a higher risk of artery blockages.
These results, according to Reuters, were based on a government-funded study of 636 women aimed at improving the diagnosis for women's heart disease. Reuters explains all participants of the study complained of chest pain, among other symptoms of a coronary artery disease, and underwent an angiography to check for blockages in the heart arteries.
Is it possible for these women to experience chest pain simply due to the frustration of not having a diagnosis for their symptoms? Absolutely.
It seems that women with unexplained chest pain may just need help in dealing with the psychological effects of remaining undiagnosed.
Many of you have probably been to the doctor to complain about a strange pain, only to leave the office $100 short and with a diagnosis of "headache," or no diagnosis at all. As frustrating as it may be, experts are trying to get a better understanding of health and a better understanding of how emotions, such as anger, affect one's heart, which might eventually aid in diagnosing women's heart problems.
Until then, ladies, it is important to take care of yourself, understand your emotions and stay healthy. Though anger is a natural human emotion, it is still important to express it in healthy ways.
Next time you're angry, stop and ask yourself why you became upset in the first place. Do you fear something? Do you feel you have been treated unfairly? Did you get embarrassed? Did someone hurt your feelings?
Everyday things can make one angry. The feeling can't be avoided, but choices exist about how to express it. Healthy choices will help you resolve a problem and let you deal with your anger. The Better Health Channel's Web site, www.betterhealth.vic.gov, explains three steps to help deal with anger in a healthy way.
First, just stop. You should be aware of how you are feeling. If you are getting angry, tell yourself to step back from the situation and recognize your feelings. Understand that anger is a normal emotion because you believe you are being hurt or threatened in some way.
Second, work out the actual cause of anger. What happened to make you feel angry? Identify when you first felt that way. Anger can also be a sign that you feel someone is acting inappropriately, but make sure to take a look at yourself and realize you cannot control how others act, only how you act. Betterhealth.vic.gov also states that sometimes you may feel some of your beliefs have been violated, but take time to work out if your own personal beliefs are appropriate in every situation.
Last, consider ways to deal with the cause of the anger. How can you try to explain or express why you are angry? What sort of compromise could you make? Would it help to see the problem from another perspective? Betterhealth.vic.gov suggests making a list of your choices and trying to imagine what would happen if you tried them. The site also suggests doing something physical such as running or playing a sport.
These steps will help you express your anger in a healthy way, minimizing a chance of heart problems in the future. Always remember that anger is natural and you are not alone in feeling that way. It is a positive and useful emotion if you choose to express it appropriately.