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Anxiety Disorders and Cardiovascular Disease

Christopher M Celano1,2, Daniel J Daunis3,4, Hermioni N Lokko3,5

  • 1Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. ccelano@partners.org.

Current Psychiatry Reports
|September 28, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Anxiety disorders frequently affect cardiovascular disease patients, potentially worsening cardiac health and outcomes. Early identification and treatment of anxiety are crucial for managing both psychiatric and cardiac conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

  • Anxiety disorders are prevalent in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Anxiety is linked to the onset, progression, and adverse outcomes of cardiac disease, including mortality.
  • Mechanisms include physiological factors (autonomic dysfunction, inflammation) and health behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significant impact of anxiety disorders on cardiovascular health.
  • To emphasize the importance of timely identification and treatment of anxiety in CVD patients.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research on the relationship between anxiety disorders and cardiovascular disease.
  • It examines underlying physiological and behavioral mechanisms.
  • It discusses the implications for clinical practice and future research.

Main Results:

  • Anxiety disorders are strongly associated with poor cardiac health and adverse cardiovascular events.
  • Both physiological and behavioral pathways mediate the link between anxiety and CVD.
  • Pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions for anxiety are generally safe and effective.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of anxiety disorders is essential for patients with cardiovascular disease.
  • Further research is needed to confirm if anxiety interventions improve both psychiatric and cardiovascular health outcomes.

Keywords:
AnxietyCardiovascular diseaseGeneralized anxiety disorderPanic disorderPost-traumatic stress disorder

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