In the life of a man there are a million things to get angry about and many places to get mad at. Anger really is perfectly natural but for some reason more men have anger issues than women do. Anger comes to some men more naturally than others. For some men even the smallest annoyance can result in out-of-control anger. And some guys genuinely like having a hot temper. It can be a source of pride and a badge of masculinity.

A Type A personality in a man or what others call a short wick can be very unhealthy. There is evidence that anger can be unhealthy for the marriage, his career, and his social surroundings too. Some men don't know that their anger is out of control nor do they understand what it is doing to their health. Anger is both psychological and physiological. When men get very angry it triggers a number of biological reactions. First, levels of hormones, including cortisol increase, breathing gets accelerated, pulse gets more rapid, blood pressure rises, sweating is possible, pupils may dilate, and a headache can even occur.

The problem is that the body’s full-blooded physical response to anger isn’t always so useful. It really doesn’t help much when you’re standing in a line at the grocery store. Uncontrolled anger is worse than useless, it’s harmful. Angry people are three times more likely to suffer from a heart attack. The body’s physical reaction to anger is intended for the short-term, giving the immediate boost needed to survive. Anger’s stress hormones may contribute to arteriosclerosis, the build-up of plaques in the arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes. These hormones may also increase levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which causes inflammation and may also contribute to cardiovascular risk.

Anger has also been linked with depression. People who are frequently angry are less likely to take care of themselves. They’re more likely to smoke, drink to excess, and eat badly, and they’re less likely to exercise. While it’s hard to say that in these cases anger is the cause, it’s certainly linked with a lot of unhealthy behaviors. Anger can also be an expression of feelings of helplessness or depression. Anger can even cause electrical disturbances in the heart rhythm. Anger is a natural, human emotion and when it’s correctly channeled, anger can be constructive. It can drive people to speak out and solve problems.