But let it happen too often, and it can turn into self-destructive behavior. If left unchecked, anger can damage your relationships, your reputation and your health. Today, however, this response is counterproductive. Anger and the Body .
Anger stimulates the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream.
The hormones cause heart rate and blood pressure to rise . They cause platelets circulating in the blood to become sticky . That enables them to cling to damaged areas on the artery lining, where they clump and release chemicals thought to further stimulate the growth of arteriosclerotic plaque. They stimulate fat cells to empty into the bloodstream to provide a quick energy source. They appear to suppress the immune system, making us more susceptible to illness.