A US research team found those with high levels of hostility had poorer lung function than their happier peers. The scientists also found that the angriest men suffered a more rapid decline in lung capacity.
Writing in the journal Thorax, the team said their findings could help develop new ways of targeting lung disease screening and prevention strategies.
The studies had shown that a rapid decline in lung function was linked to increased susceptibility to debilitating lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease, and increased mortality.
The researchers believe that anger and hostility could be affecting neurological and hormonal processes, which in turn could cause chronic inflammation in some of the body's systems, such as the lungs.
However, Dr Wright said the study showed an association between anger and lung disease, rather than a cause and effect relationship.
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