Hostility and anger are recognized risk factors for several health problems in older adults, including cardiovascular disease, asthma, and increased all-cause mortality. Because negative emotional states have been linked to chronic airway obstruction, researchers have examined whether hostility may contribute to declining lung function over time.
Research published in Thorax (2006; 61(10): 863–868) investigated this relationship in 670 men. Levels of hostility were assessed using the Cook–Medley Hostility Scale. Pulmonary function was measured on three occasions over an average follow-up period of 8.2 years, using spirometry to assess forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV₁).
Higher levels of hostility were associated with a greater decline in lung function over time. This association remained significant even after accounting for other known risk factors, including smoking. The findings suggest that chronic anger and hostility may contribute to airway constriction and progressive loss of pulmonary function.
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