Emotional stressors trigger cardiovascular events
- PMID: 22698415
- DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2012.02920.x
Emotional stressors trigger cardiovascular events
Abstract
Aims: To describe the relation between emotional stress and cardiovascular events, and review the literature on the cardiovascular effects of emotional stress, in order to describe the relation, the underlying pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic implications.
Materials and methods: Targeted PUBMED searches were conducted to supplement the authors' existing database on this topic.
Results: Cardiovascular events are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Cardiovascular events can be triggered by acute mental stress caused by events such as an earthquake, a televised high-drama soccer game, job strain or the death of a loved one. Acute mental stress increases sympathetic output, impairs endothelial function and creates a hypercoagulable state. These changes have the potential to rupture vulnerable plaque and precipitate intraluminal thrombosis, resulting in myocardial infarction or sudden death.
Conclusion: Therapies targeting this pathway can potentially prevent acute mental stressors from initiating plaque rupture. Limited evidence suggests that appropriately timed administration of beta-blockers, statins and aspirin might reduce the incidence of triggered myocardial infarctions. Stress management and transcendental meditation warrant further study.
© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Comment in
-
The mind body connection and cardiovascular disease.Int J Clin Pract. 2012 Nov;66(11):1126-7. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12002. Int J Clin Pract. 2012. PMID: 23067038 No abstract available.
Similar articles
-
Sporting events affect spectators' cardiovascular mortality: it is not just a game.Am J Med. 2010 Nov;123(11):972-7. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.03.026. Am J Med. 2010. PMID: 21035586 Review.
-
When and why do heart attacks occur? Cardiovascular triggers and their potential role.Hosp Pract (1995). 2010;38(3):144-52. doi: 10.3810/hp.2010.06.308. Hosp Pract (1995). 2010. PMID: 20890064
-
World soccer cup as a trigger of cardiovascular events.Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013 Jun;100(6):546-52. doi: 10.5935/abc.20130105. Epub 2013 May 14. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013. PMID: 23657272 English, Portuguese.
-
The time has come for physicians to take notice: the impact of psychosocial stressors on the heart.Am J Med. 2009 Aug;122(8):704-12. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.05.001. Am J Med. 2009. PMID: 19635269 Review.
-
Emotional stress as a trigger in sudden cardiac death.Psychiatr Danub. 2008 Sep;20(3):411-4. Psychiatr Danub. 2008. PMID: 18827773
Cited by
-
Humor-Based Messaging in Testicular Cancer Awareness Campaigns: A Comparative Critical Review.Am J Mens Health. 2023 Nov-Dec;17(6):15579883231215343. doi: 10.1177/15579883231215343. Am J Mens Health. 2023. PMID: 38044499 Free PMC article. Review.
-
State-level economic uncertainty and cardiovascular disease deaths: evidence from the United States.Eur J Epidemiol. 2023 Nov;38(11):1175-1183. doi: 10.1007/s10654-023-01076-3. Epub 2023 Nov 15. Eur J Epidemiol. 2023. PMID: 37966544 Free PMC article.
-
Associations of religious and existential variables with psychosocial factors and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in bereavement.Aging Cell. 2024 Jan;23(1):e14014. doi: 10.1111/acel.14014. Epub 2023 Oct 16. Aging Cell. 2024. PMID: 37840393 Free PMC article.
-
Association of Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors with Musculoskeletal Function in Acute Coronary Syndrome Ward Inpatients.Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Mar 27;11(7):954. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11070954. Healthcare (Basel). 2023. PMID: 37046881 Free PMC article.
-
Sudden gamer death: non-violent death cases linked to playing video games.BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Dec 23;22(1):824. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-04373-5. BMC Psychiatry. 2022. PMID: 36564741 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical