[Psychological factors and heart diseases]

We are often faced with patients with increased psychosocial stress, anxiety and depression and various cardiovascular symptoms such as hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmia and chest pain. Psychological factors are important in particular in ischaemic heart disease and in arterial hypertension. In this respect chronic as well as acute stress plays a part. The problem of stress as a risk factor of these diseases of civilization is investigated. Some psychopathological signs may lead first to cardiological examination but their origin is within the psychic sphere of the patient. In the diagnostic sphere of some diseases which belong primarily into the cardiological or psychiatric sphere collaboration at a scientific as well as practical level is necessary.