The Heart Problem

While an angry person may sometimes believe he is inflicting harm on others, the fact is he may be hurting himself much more. An intense outburst of anger can trigger a heart attack or even make the heart stop, according to an article in the August issue of Consumer Reports on Health. Sustained anger over years takes its toll on the heart muscle as well by accelerating the heart rate, raising blood pressure, stimulating the formation of blood clots and narrowing the coronary arteries. The article also points out that it doesn’t matter whether you vent your anger or keep it bottled up--it’s still damaging to the heart.

The Heart Solutions

OK, so you’re mad as hell and you don’t know how you can take it anymore. What do you do so your heart doesn’t explode? One easy way to blow off steam and help your heart is to exercise, according to Consumer Reports on Health. When you feel your anger rising, ask yourself, “Am I sure the other person misbehaved,” “Is the problem truly important,” or “Do I have a constructive response?” Another technique to reduce anger is to keep a “hostility log” in which you write down any angry or cynical thoughts, feelings or actions, the article states.

Top Nine Tests for Women

Research shows that a majority of young women just won’t visit a doctor, according to an article in the September issue of Shape magazine. Many women have a “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” attitude, according to Dr. Louisa Coutts, an assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Other times, women just don’t know what tests to get or what’s covered by insurance. The magazine recommends the following: pap smear, clinical breast exam, eye exam, gum probing, skin cancer screening, iron deficiency and anemia test, diabetes test, blood cholesterol screening and bone density test.

Budding Couch Potatoes

Not surprisingly, the fattest children tend to be those who rarely exercise and frequently watch television, according to a recent study by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. According to the study, which involved more than 4,000 children ages 8 to 16, physically active children had a stronger self image, more self confidence and fewer chronic health problems. Experts also say kids are most likely to exercise if they see their parents being physically active themselves.