User login
NEW ORLEANS – Anger control appears to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk in African Americans, and conversely, the expression of anger and hostility may be linked with increased levels of an inflammatory marker of cardiovascular disease in this population.
In a study presented at a meeting sponsored by the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks, an unwillingness to express anger outwardly was significantly negatively associated with LDL cholesterol levels and significantly positively associated with HDL cholesterol levels in a convenience sample of 174 normotensive African American adults.
Anger in the participants was assessed using the 20-item Spielberger Anger Expression scale, and plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured. Items 1 and 8 of the scale, which assessed anger control (“I control my temper” and “I keep my cool,” respectively), were the “highest endorsed” items on the scale, but only item 15 (“I am angrier than I am willing to admit”) was significantly associated with cholesterol levels, Mildred A. Pointer, Ph.D., of North Carolina Central University, Durham, reported in a poster at the meeting.
Avoiding the outward expression of anger may serve as a survival technique in African Americans as they navigate through life, Dr. Pointer suggested, but it also appears to provide protection against cardiovascular disease by improving the ratio of “good” (HDL) cholesterol to “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, she said.
In a separate study, Den'ee T. Mwendwa, Ph.D., of Howard University, Washington, reported that trait depression and anger/hostility both were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in a study of 155 African American adults.
The purpose of the study–which is part of an ongoing project to identify biologic and psychosocial predictors of renal health outcomes–was to determine whether trait depression and anger/hostility were associated with increases in CRP levels in a community-based sample of middle-aged African Americans, and it followed previous findings suggesting that depression and anger/hostility traits are associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke, Dr. Mwendwa noted in a poster.
Researchers have suggested that chronic inflammation can result from changes in the immune system that are triggered by negative mood states, and the findings of the current study appear to support this theory. Participants underwent neuropsychological and psychosocial evaluation, and CRP levels were used as a measure of inflammation.
The findings suggest that regular screening for anger and depression would be beneficial in African Americans, Dr. Mwendwa concluded.
NEW ORLEANS – Anger control appears to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk in African Americans, and conversely, the expression of anger and hostility may be linked with increased levels of an inflammatory marker of cardiovascular disease in this population.
In a study presented at a meeting sponsored by the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks, an unwillingness to express anger outwardly was significantly negatively associated with LDL cholesterol levels and significantly positively associated with HDL cholesterol levels in a convenience sample of 174 normotensive African American adults.
Anger in the participants was assessed using the 20-item Spielberger Anger Expression scale, and plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured. Items 1 and 8 of the scale, which assessed anger control (“I control my temper” and “I keep my cool,” respectively), were the “highest endorsed” items on the scale, but only item 15 (“I am angrier than I am willing to admit”) was significantly associated with cholesterol levels, Mildred A. Pointer, Ph.D., of North Carolina Central University, Durham, reported in a poster at the meeting.
Avoiding the outward expression of anger may serve as a survival technique in African Americans as they navigate through life, Dr. Pointer suggested, but it also appears to provide protection against cardiovascular disease by improving the ratio of “good” (HDL) cholesterol to “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, she said.
In a separate study, Den'ee T. Mwendwa, Ph.D., of Howard University, Washington, reported that trait depression and anger/hostility both were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in a study of 155 African American adults.
The purpose of the study–which is part of an ongoing project to identify biologic and psychosocial predictors of renal health outcomes–was to determine whether trait depression and anger/hostility were associated with increases in CRP levels in a community-based sample of middle-aged African Americans, and it followed previous findings suggesting that depression and anger/hostility traits are associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke, Dr. Mwendwa noted in a poster.
Researchers have suggested that chronic inflammation can result from changes in the immune system that are triggered by negative mood states, and the findings of the current study appear to support this theory. Participants underwent neuropsychological and psychosocial evaluation, and CRP levels were used as a measure of inflammation.
The findings suggest that regular screening for anger and depression would be beneficial in African Americans, Dr. Mwendwa concluded.
NEW ORLEANS – Anger control appears to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk in African Americans, and conversely, the expression of anger and hostility may be linked with increased levels of an inflammatory marker of cardiovascular disease in this population.
In a study presented at a meeting sponsored by the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks, an unwillingness to express anger outwardly was significantly negatively associated with LDL cholesterol levels and significantly positively associated with HDL cholesterol levels in a convenience sample of 174 normotensive African American adults.
Anger in the participants was assessed using the 20-item Spielberger Anger Expression scale, and plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured. Items 1 and 8 of the scale, which assessed anger control (“I control my temper” and “I keep my cool,” respectively), were the “highest endorsed” items on the scale, but only item 15 (“I am angrier than I am willing to admit”) was significantly associated with cholesterol levels, Mildred A. Pointer, Ph.D., of North Carolina Central University, Durham, reported in a poster at the meeting.
Avoiding the outward expression of anger may serve as a survival technique in African Americans as they navigate through life, Dr. Pointer suggested, but it also appears to provide protection against cardiovascular disease by improving the ratio of “good” (HDL) cholesterol to “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, she said.
In a separate study, Den'ee T. Mwendwa, Ph.D., of Howard University, Washington, reported that trait depression and anger/hostility both were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in a study of 155 African American adults.
The purpose of the study–which is part of an ongoing project to identify biologic and psychosocial predictors of renal health outcomes–was to determine whether trait depression and anger/hostility were associated with increases in CRP levels in a community-based sample of middle-aged African Americans, and it followed previous findings suggesting that depression and anger/hostility traits are associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke, Dr. Mwendwa noted in a poster.
Researchers have suggested that chronic inflammation can result from changes in the immune system that are triggered by negative mood states, and the findings of the current study appear to support this theory. Participants underwent neuropsychological and psychosocial evaluation, and CRP levels were used as a measure of inflammation.
The findings suggest that regular screening for anger and depression would be beneficial in African Americans, Dr. Mwendwa concluded.