There are many physical changes that accompany anger, including increased heart rate and blood pressure. Though these changes are usually temporary, prolonged or frequent periods of anger could, over time, contribute to the development of high blood pressure.

Research has found that people who are generally more hostile seem to experience more intense anger than less hostile people. Also, those more hostile people appear to hang on to their anger for longer periods of time. This corresponds to a higher and longer rise in blood pressure while angry for people prone to hostility.