With the rising number of heart attacks, especially among the young, it can be scary, and it is always good to be alert and seek help in case of any symptoms related to cardiac conditions. However, if the fear turns irrational, it can cause stress and anxiety, leading to cardiac symptoms like palpitations and chest pain, even in the absence of any heart trouble. This condition is called cardiophobia or cardiac neurosis.
Also known as Da Costa’s Syndrome, it is now called somatoform autonomous functional disorders of the cardiovascular system or cardiac anxiety, say experts. Dr Lakshmi Kanth P, consultant & interventional cardiologist, Apollo hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, says the condition has multiple names. It was initially being used for soldiers in British and German troops in World War II, who reported cardiac symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulty and reported faster heart rate on walking. “Later, it was also being identified more frequently in Oman, where they were not able to find any heart ailment with whatever investigations were available then. Doctors did not find any major routine or scientifically known heart-related cause to those symptoms then,” he says.
Causes of cardiophobia
The cause of cardiophobia could be familial, say experts. “When somebody goes through any physical stress like fever, malaria, or psychological stress wherein, say, one has broken up or lost someone close to them in their life, they usually experience these symptoms. As any known cause like block in the heart or issue with the heart rate are ruled out in these cases, the term cardiac neurosis is not commonly used now. It is mostly called anxiety neurosis where despite no reasonable and proven heart condition, one still experiences symptoms similar to someone with a major heart disease,” explains Dr Kanth.
Dr V U Karthikeyan, consultant psychiatrist, Dr Mehta’s Hospital — Global Campus, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, says one with cardiophobia is preoccupied and distressed about his heart condition in spite of repeated examinations, and explanations and reasoning by the doctors that everything is normal and there is no evidence of any distress to the heart. The person is referred to a psychiatrist when the cardiologist realizes that they have visited several physicians for the same condition that has not been proven to be heart related.
He says, “At times, People even shift to a place near to a hospital so that they can visit immediately in case of any symptoms like chest pain. Due to the stigma associated with visiting a psychiatrist, many look up on the internet and listen to friends or relatives who do not have experience in the field and get misled. Even after the doctor’s note that their heart health is normal, they will have symptoms due to stress and they meet another doctor for a third or fourth opinion for reassurance.” He adds, people with personality traits like neuroticism and introversion or family history of mental illness may be more prone to developing this condition.
How to cope with cardiophobia
To cope with it, Dr Karthikeyan says the first thing one should do is believe their doctor. “When the doctor says that there’s nothing wrong with your heart, you must believe it. Stop searching on the internet and taking reassurance from multiple doctors. Doing that itself will help relieve anxiety,” he adds.
Cardiophobia can be easily treated, say experts. They are usually treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. “We address the person’s maladaptive thoughts and behavior. With a few repeated sessions, they understand what is wrong and they correct them. They also learn to cope in case they experience the symptoms again, later in their life. If the anxiety is severe, we treat it with medications,” he says.
He adds daily exercise, healthy eating habits and proper sleep can also help cope and prevent the condition.
Takeaways
- The irrational fear of heart problems, despite all tests evaluated negative by the doctor, is called cardiophobia or cardiac neurosis.
- The terms more commonly used now are somatoform autonomous functional disorders of the cardiovascular system or cardiac neurosis or cardiac anxiety.
- The person mostly continues to have cardiac symptoms like chest pain, palpitations and high heart rate despite normal heart health due to stress and anxiety.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy and medications, if required, are used to correct the condition.
- Regular exercises, proper sleep and a balanced diet can also help cope and prevent cardiophobia.
