Psychological stress and cardiovascular diseases

Mental stress may directly influence coronary heart disease (CHD) and also a number of its etiologic risk factors. Research work carried out by the Psychopharmacology Research Group in the United Kingdom indicates that antianxiety drugs may have an application in the management of the stress factors influencing CHD. In one study there was a significant reduction in the glyceryl trinitrate requirements of patients treated with a tranquilizer, but this result was not confirmed in two other studies. However, out of a total of 77 patients treated with a placebo, there were five cases of myocardial infarction during the trial periods as compared to no such cases among 81 patients treated with the antianxiety drugs.