Heightened Fear After Heart Attack Linked to Worse Outcomes

Those who are afraid of dying due to heart attacks face more problems post the attack compared to others, a new report published in the European Heart Journal reveals. Researchers led by British Heart Foundation’s Andrew Steptoe found that those who are afraid during heart attacks have higher chemical markers which are linked to inflammation in their blood.

The high levels of inflammation often lead to long term cardiovascular problems and could even be the cause for triggering another heart attack in the future.

“Large inflammatory responses are known to be damaging to the heart, and to increase the risk of longer-term cardiac problems such as having another heart attack. Fear of dying is not just an emotional response, but is linked into the biological changes that go on during acute cardiac events”, Steptoe said.

Source-Medindia