Take a mellow stroll

Arecent study by researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., indicated that heavy exertion while angry or stressed triples the chance of a heart attack. While the results seem to discourage the idea of exercise as a stress-reliever, a deeper examination of the study validates what doctors have said for years: Moderate exercise is the best exercise.

The Ontario research included 12,461 people from 52 countries. The participants had suffered one heart attack and averaged 58 years of age. They were asked if they were angry or stressed in the hour before their heart attack and also if they participated in a strenuous activity during that time period.

Being angry or stressed doubled the chances of a heart attack, researchers found. Adding a strenuous activity made the risk three times greater than for a person who was not stressed or active at the time of their heart attack. But there is no evidence that moderate exercise increases the chance of a cardiac event. A consistent exercise program helps control many of the other risk factors that can cause a heart attack in the first place.

It is important to deal with stress and anger in a healthy way. Meditation and deep breathing are easy and effective responses. But so is a consistent, moderate exercise program. Walking or jogging with a friend or loved one is a good remedy for stress. It also, somehow, grants perspective and improves the day.