Panic, heart attacks link

Tuesday December 23rd, 2008

People diagnosed with panic attacks or panic disorder are at increased risk of heart disease or heart attack, reports European Heart Journal.

The UK study of 404,654 people found those aged under 50 years were at much higher risk of myocardial infarctions (MI), but this was not the case in older people.

It also found a much higher incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in people diagnosed with panic attacks/disorder at all ages, but this was more marked in the under 50s.

The research showed that the risk of dying from CHD was actually reduced amongst people of all ages who had been diagnosed with panic attacks/disorder.

Lead researcher Dr Kate Walters from University College London said the symptoms of panic attacks could closely mimic those of a heart attack or acute cardiac disease and there could be a complex relationship between them.

"Our findings have significant implications for clinicians," Dr Walters said.

"Panic attacks were associated with a significant increased risk of a subsequent diagnosis of CHD and acute MI in those aged younger than 50.

"This may be due to initial misdiagnosis of CHD as panic attacks, or a true underlying increased risk of CHD with panic attacks.

"Clinicians should be vigilant for this possibility when diagnosing and treating people presenting with symptoms of panic."

European Heart Journal 2008 29(24):2981-2988.doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehn477

Tags: Heart Health | UK News

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