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Fear of sudden cardiac death for no reason? Cardiologist gives tips on what helps against "heart anxiety"

2023-05-12T14:17:08.952Z

Highlights: A cardiologist explains how to face your phobia. Doctors speak of "heart anxiety" or "cardiophobia" when people are afraid of heart disease. An anxiety disorder could be behind it. Around 15 percent of the population in Germany is affected by anxiety disorders. The German Heart Foundation answers all questions about heart health in their consultation hours. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.


Fears are human and, to a certain extent, normal. But pronounced "heart anxiety" can affect everyday life immensely. A cardiologist explains how to face your phobia.


Fears are human and, to a certain extent, normal. But pronounced "heart anxiety" can affect everyday life immensely. A cardiologist explains how to face your phobia.

The feeling of fear protects us from getting into dangerous situations. For example, most people avoid strolling alone through dark alleys at night for fear of doing so. Fear of spiders can also be life-saving in countries with poisonous species. But fears also have their downsides. In this way, they can become pathological and cause enormous suffering for those affected.

If you have fears that negatively affect your life, you should consult a medical professional or psychologist. An anxiety disorder could be behind it. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in Germany. Around 15 percent of the population is affected, according to the German Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,
Psychosomatics and Neurology.

One's own health can also cause pathological fears. Doctors speak of "heart anxiety" or "cardiophobia" when people are afraid of heart disease, even if no objectively comprehensible reason can be found.

Young man is afraid of heart disease: professor suspects heart anxiety

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Worries are often not easy to eliminate. One's own health can also be a trigger for worries about grief.

© Imago

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Quite a few sufferers of heart anxiety seek advice on the Internet. The experts of the German Heart Foundation answer all questions about heart health in their consultation hours. A young man has also sought an opinion here: "I am 18 years old and I am worried about suffering a "sudden cardiac death". My resting heart rate when sitting is currently always between 90 and 100 per minute, while lying down between 60 and 80 per minute. At the slightest exertion, for example running up stairs, my heart really races at 120 to 130 beats per minute. (...) Recently I went to see a cardiologist. Cardiac echo, stress and long-term ECG were without findings. Can something happen to me? I am afraid and worried that my heart will stop. Is the high pulse dangerous?", the young man is quoted on the pages of the German Heart Foundation.

Professor Herbert E. Ulmer, Deputy Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Heart Foundation, suspects that there is a fear of the heart. The retired physician, who was medical director of the Center for Children with Heart Disease in Heidelberg for 18 years, replied to the insecure 18-year-old: "Today, quite a few people suffer from the worry of having or getting unrecognized, significant problems with the heart, even if no objectively comprehensible reason can be found for this. This is called "heart anxiety" or "cardiophobia". (...) It is not so much cardiologists who are responsible for helping in such situations as so-called psychosomatic doctors."

Caution: How to immediately recognize a heart attack

Caution: How to immediately recognize a heart attack

What helps with heart anxiety?

Professor Ulmer advises the young man to make the following lifestyle changes to strengthen his heart and reduce presumed heart anxiety:

  • Regular physical activity
  • Avoid stimulants such as a lot of coffee, cigarettes or high-calorie energy drinks
  • Seek company and confide in friends/family

This article contains only general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, individual questions about clinical pictures may not be answered by our editors.

Category list image: © Imago

Source: merkur

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