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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Impact of Intracardiac Neurons on Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmogenesis in an Ex Vivo Langendorff System
Published on: May 22, 2018
[Cardiac neuroses]
U Simson1, K Martin, P L Janssen
1Abteilung für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik, Dortmund.
Insights
Cardiac neurosis involves heart symptoms without a physical cause, affecting up to 40% of patients with cardiovascular issues. Treatment combines medication and psychotherapy for these functional heart complaints.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Cardiology
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Context:
- Cardiac neurosis, also known as cardiac anxiety disorder, presents as heart complaints with no identifiable organic cause.
- It is estimated that 30-40% of patients presenting with cardiovascular disorders may actually have functional complaints.
- Associated terms include cardiac phobia and somatoform autonomous functional disorders of the cardiovascular system (ICD-10).
Purpose:
- To define cardiac neurosis and its prevalence.
- To explore the underlying psychological factors contributing to its development.
- To outline current treatment approaches for cardiac neurosis.
Summary:
- Cardiac neurosis is characterized by heart symptoms lacking an organic basis, often linked to childhood developmental issues and autonomy conflicts.
- Despite being underdiagnosed, functional heart complaints are prevalent, potentially affecting a significant portion of individuals seeking cardiac care.
- Therapeutic interventions typically involve a combination of pharmacological agents and psychotherapeutic strategies.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of considering psychological factors in cardiovascular symptom assessment.
- Emphasizes the need for accurate diagnosis to differentiate functional complaints from organic heart disease.
- Underscores the potential for effective treatment through integrated medical and psychological care.
Abstract:
Cardiac neurosis is defined as heart complaints for which no organic cause can be found. Other common terms are "cardiac anxiety neurosis", "cardiac anxiety disorder", "cardiac phobia", "functional heart complaints" and "somatoform autonomous functional disorders of the cardiovascular system" (ICD-10). Although cardiac neurosis is rarely diagnosed, it is estimated that approximately 30 bis 40% of patients with cardiovascular disorders are actually suffering from functional complaints. Predisposing to the development of cardiac neurosis are insufficient internalization processes during childhood, leading to an insoluble autonomy dependency conflict. Cardiac neurosis is treated with drugs and psychotherapy.
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