Anxiety and cardiovascular disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses significant health risks, including myocardial infarction and stroke.
• Anxiety disorders and symptoms are increasingly recognized as potential contributing factors to CVD.
• Understanding these links is crucial for comprehensive patient care and preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between anxiety disorders/symptoms and cardiovascular disease, specifically hypertension and coronary heart disease.
• To review epidemiological data linking anxiety to these conditions.
• To explore potential underlying biological and behavioral mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of epidemiological studies on anxiety disorders and hypertension/coronary heart disease.
• Analysis of research on proposed mechanisms, including autonomic nervous system dysfunction, respiratory factors, cytokines, platelet function, and behavior.
• Inclusion of recent work addressing inconsistencies in the literature.

Main Results:

• Consistent associations reported between panic attacks/panic disorder and hypertension.
• Inconsistent findings regarding other anxiety disorders and hypertension, with some studies showing links to low blood pressure.
• Growing evidence base for the association between anxiety disorders and coronary heart disease, though less extensively studied than depression.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between anxiety and hypertension is complex and requires further elucidation, with panic disorder being a key focus.
• Autonomic nervous system dysfunction, potentially influenced by serotonin, is a significant proposed mechanism linking hypertension and panic.
• While the link between anxiety and coronary heart disease is emerging, more research is needed compared to studies on depression.