Anger and stroke: a potential association that deserves serious consideration.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between states of anger and stroke.

METHODS: Systematic review of the literature.

RESULTS: In total, 21 papers were selected for the systematic review of data published on the subject of anger and stroke. A state of anger may be a risk factor for stroke, as well as a consequence of brain lesions affecting specific areas that are caused by a stroke. Scales to assess anger varied among authors. There was no consensus regarding the area of brain lesions that might lead to a state of anger. Although some authors agreed that lesions on the right side led to angrier behaviour, others found that lesions on the left side were more relevant to anger. Likewise, there was no consensus regarding the prevalence of anger pre or post-stroke. Some authors did not even find that these two conditions were related.

CONCLUSION: Although most authors have accepted that there is a relationship between anger and stroke, studies with uniform methodology need to be conducted if this association is to be properly evaluated and understood.