New research shows that highly anxious patients with heart disease face nearly double the risk of heart attack or death when compared to those with a more serene outlook on life.

Patients whose anxiety intensified over time were in greatest peril, while those who started out highly anxious but later found inner calm markedly reduced their risk. The research appears in the May 22, 2007 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

Previous studies have shown that mental stress and depression have harmful effects on the heart and blood vessels, but until now there has been little information on the corrosive effects of anxiety or the benefits of relieving anxiety over time.

For the study, Dr. Blatt and his colleagues recruited 516 patients with proven coronary artery disease. At the beginning of the study and again each year patients completed a standardized questionnaire about their feelings during the previous week, for example, whether they felt peaceful, felt something bad would happen, took a long time to fall asleep at night, or had upset bowels or stomach.

The initial anxiety score alone offered little clue to the patient's future health. However, an increase in anxiety over time hiked the risk of heart attack or death by 10 percent. Conversely, patients whose anxiety level was in the highest third at baseline, but in the lowest third when cumulative average anxiety levels were tallied, were among the least likely to have a heart attack or to die.

What you can do when emotions seem overwhelming, try these techniques for rapidly establishing more emotional balance:

• Learn relaxation techniques. Yoga, deep-breathing exercises, meditation and visualization can help you reduce emotional stress.
  
  
• Do things that relax your senses. Play soothing music, go somewhere where you can see or walk in peaceful natural Surroundings; get a massage.
  
  
• Release energy. Take out your anxiety or anger through vigorous physical activity such as raking leaves, doing housework or going for a brisk walk.
  
  
• Talk about it. Make a date with a loved one or trusted friend and vent your feelings. Talking about what bothers you can be a good way to diffuse pent up emotions.

Many factors can impact your emotions and your body. If you find you can't manage your emotions on your own, it's important to get help. There are effective therapies available that can help you reduce unhealthy stress and restore a sense of calm and control to your life.