Anger triggers irregular heart beat

Some people more vulnerable than others

It’s no secret that emotional stress can send our hearts aflutter. But new research suggests that how the heart copes with anger could predict life-threatening irregular heartbeats in vulnerable patients. Yale cardiologist Rachel Lampert, gave EKGs to 62 patients with preexisting heart disease who had defibrillators implanted in their chests. Upon retelling a memory that made them angry, some experienced a spike. Compared to those whose hearts were unresponsive to anger, the study found that these people were 10 times more likely to have their defibrillators fire a lifesaving shock in the next three years.

Associated Press