High blood pressure correlates with understanding anger: A curious study

Surprisingly, high blood pressure can help with understanding the anger of other people better.

A recent study led by Konstanz researchers reveals that men with high blood pressure tend to recognize anger in others more frequently than those without hypertension. 

This insight into the psychological aspect of essential hypertension, a condition often lacking a clear medical cause, highlights potential factors contributing to the disorder. 

More about the research

Published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, the study involved 145 male participants and demonstrated that hypertensive men are more likely to overrate anger expressions in others' faces compared to healthy individuals. 

This tendency, called "trait anger," appears to contribute to elevated blood pressure over time.

The study's findings suggest the importance of addressing this anger recognition bias for better hypertension management. 

Alisa Auer, one of the researchers, envisions potential therapeutic interventions targeting individuals' perception of social situations to mitigate the impact of others' anger. 

Given that standard blood pressure medications address the consequences rather than the root causes of hypertension, such interventions could offer a new approach.

Why it might be helpful

Hypertension significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death, so this research holds implications for public health strategies. 

While the study initially focused on men due to their higher prevalence of hypertension, future research aims to explore similar patterns among women and their potential relationship to hypertension.
 

• Related news:
• research
• health
• anger
• 13 August 2023

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