The [[New Atheism|new atheist]] Richard Dawkins has a reputation for being an angry, aggressive and abrasive man (see: [[Richard Dawkins and anger]] and [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]]).
According to Glenn Gandelman, MD, "A recent study indicates that angry men have higher blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.<ref>[http://www.healthcentral.com/high-blood-pressure/c/88/15332/high/ Anger, Stress and High Blood Pressure], Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH</ref> PubMed has numerous studies relating to anger and high blood pressure.<ref>[httphttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=anger+and+hypertension PubMed - Anger and hypertension]</ref><ref>[httphttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=anger+and+%22high+blood+pressure%22 PubMed: Anger and high blood pressure]</ref>
Despite the medical advice of his doctors, Dawkins had a very active Twitter presence before his minor stroke (with a number of Twitter controversies) and numerous public controversies (see: [[Richard Dawkins and women]] and [[Elevatorgate]] and [[Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations]]).<ref>
*[http://www.religionnews.com/2016/02/15/richard-dawkins-stroke-due-to-stress/ Richard Dawkins says stroke caused by stress over controversy], Religion New Service
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/21/the-12-stages-of-a-richard-dawkins-twitter-scandal_n_5698443.html The 12-Stage 'Evolution' Of A Richard Dawkins Twitter Scandal] by Paul Vale, The Huffington Post UK, Posted: 22/08/2014 02:06 BST
*[httphttps://www.salon.com/2016/01/27/richard_dawkins_delete_your_account_the_prominent_atheist_unleashes_new_islamophobic_assault_partner/ Richard Dawkins, delete your account: The prominent atheist implodes on Twitter (again)], Salon*[httphttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/15-of-richard-dawkins-most-controversial-tweets_us_56004360e4b00310edf7eaf6 15 Of Richard Dawkins' Most Controversial Tweets], ''Huffington Post''
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{{cquote|It was the result of stress-related higher blood pressure, which he says he may have had as a result of recent controversy, including being booted from the NECSS conference. He added, however, that on February 5, he received a letter from conference organizers apologizing for disinviting him and asking him back to the conference.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/02/14/richard-dawkins-gives-update-on-his-health-in-audio-message/ Richard Dawkins Gives Update on His Health in Audio Message]</ref>}}
In December 2016, Dawkins appears to have started to Tweet again despite his doctors warnings to avoid controversy (For example, he tweeted that Britain had become a "nasty little backwater" after the [[Brexit]] vote and his Tweet drew fierce criticism).<ref>[httphttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/authors/richard-dawkins-england-becoming-nasty-little-backwater-brexit/ Richard Dawkins: England becoming a 'nasty little backwater' after Brexit vote], ''The Telegraph'', March 2017</ref><ref>[httphttps://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/748479/Richard-Dawkins-pretending-war-on-christmas-christians SHOCK RANT: Richard Dawkins mocks Christians for 'pretending' there's WAR on Christianity], ''Express'', December of 2016</ref><ref>[https://swarajyamag.com/insta/what-british-scientist-dawkins-thinks-of-islam What British Scientist Dawkins Thinks Of Islam], ''Swaraya'', June 7, 2017</ref>
Dawkins recognizes the value of medical science and said, "If you base medicine on science, you cure people."<ref>[http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/884804-science-works-planes-fly-cars-drive-computers-compute-if-you Richard Dawkins - Quote]</ref> Yet, he willfully and persistently goes against the medical advice of his doctors despite their extensive medical training.
For additional information, please see: [[Richard Dawkins' health]]
== Richard Dawkins on veganism ==
*[[Richard Dawkins on veganism]]
== Irony of new atheists engaging in unsound health practices ==
''See also:'' [[New Atheism leaders and unhealthy lifestyles]]
[[File:Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|The British Britain born [[New Atheism|new atheists ]] [[Christopher Hitchens]] and [[Richard Dawkins]]. The late Christopher Hitchens was known for his heavy drinking.<ref>[httphttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/christopher-hitchens-desp_n_685021.html Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again]</ref> See also: [[Atheism and alcoholism]] ]]
According to the ''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', the [[New Atheism|new atheists]] "believe empirical science is the only (or at least the best) basis for genuine knowledge of the world, and they insist that a belief can be epistemically justified only if it is based on adequate evidence."<ref>[http://www.iep.utm.edu/n-atheis/ The New Atheists]</ref>
== Richard Dawkins quote on science and medicine ==
Despite having high blood pressure and repeatedly ignoring his doctors' advice to avoid controversies, Dawkins said about science and medicine:{{Cquote|"[Science] works! Planes fly. Cars drive. Computers compute. If you base medicine on science, you cure people. If you base the design of planes on science, they fly. If you base the design of rockets on science, they reach the moon. It works...".<ref>[http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/884804-science-works-planes-fly-cars-drive-computers-compute-if-you Richard Dawkins quote]</ref>}}
== See also ==
*[[Charles Darwin's illness]]
*[[Atheism and health]]
*[[Atheism and medicine]]
*[[Atheism and depression]]
*[[Atheism and suicide]]
== External links ==
*[httphttps://creation.com/images/pdfs/tj/j15_3/j15_3_79-84.pdf Back problems: how Darwinism misled researchers] by Jerry Bergman
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Lj6kEjNns Charles Darwin Memorial Hospital]