Hostility, repressed anger and self-consciousness in social situations were listed as types of emotional turmoil that appear to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. As reported in Consumer Reports on Health, a University of Pittsburgh study of 200 middle-aged women found those who tested high for these emotional issues “showed greater signs of early arteriosclerosis, or clogged arteries.” Consumer Reports notes that other studies have also shown repressing negative emotions is harmful to women and men.