Heart Attack How fears save lives

Fears protect those affected by a heart attack

Fear is a natural perception that should protect us from danger, but can also assume pathological proportions in the form of so-called anxiety disorders. However, this pathologically increased anxiety can also be advantageous in certain situations. For example, a team of researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München found out that patients who generally suffer from severe fears have a greater chance of surviving a heart attack.

People with increased anxiety take the symptoms of a heart attack seriously earlier and can be treated faster, which improves their chances of survival, according to the TUM. The research team led by Professor Karl-Heinz Ladwig from the Technical University and the Helmholtz Zentrum München has shown in his current study that people with anxiety disorder in a heart attack respond faster and visit an emergency room, which significantly reduces the risk of fatality. The researchers have published the results of their study in the journal "Clinical Research in Cardiology".

People with an anxiety disorder have a significantly higher chance of survival in the event of a heart attack. (Image: Adiano / fotolia.com)

Fear is a protective mechanism

"People with anxiety disorders unfortunately suffer from strong fears that are independent of any real danger," explain the scientists. Often, the anxiety comes in everyday situations, which put a great strain on their lives and could also bring with them an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In acute emergencies, however, fear has been an effective protection mechanism since ancient times, emphasize Prof. Ladwig and colleagues. Thus anxiety disorders can actually help in a heart attack.

Chance of survival in a heart attack

Based on the data from 619 infarct patients from the MEDEA study (Munich Examination of Delay in Patients Experiencing Acute Myocardial Infarction), the scientists analyzed possible associations between anxiety disorders and survival in a heart attack. The subjects were interviewed in the hospital within 24 hours of leaving the ICU and further data such as the time of arrival in the clinic and the course of the disease were recorded, according to the TUM.

Early treatment reduces the risk of death

The decisive factor for successful countermeasures in the event of a heart attack is treatment that is initiated as early as possible. "The sooner an infarct drug therapy begins, the lower the damage to the heart, the later health restrictions and the likelihood of dying," explain the experts. The data analysis showed that people with an anxiety disorder in the acute heart attack situation responded faster and came to the emergency rooms earlier.

Two hours earlier in the emergency room

Around 12 percent of the patients in the study suffered from an anxiety disorder, according to the researchers. Here was a particularly clear difference in the timing of hospital admission between female infarction patients without and with anxiety disorders, according to the TUM. On average, the latter would have reached the clinic 112 minutes after infarction, while the comparison group without anxiety needed about two hours longer. From scientific studies it is known that in an acute myocardial infarction every half hour is crucial for survival, emphasizes Prof. Ladwig.

Increased chance of survival in an anxiety disorder

Statistically resilient, the researchers were able to demonstrate the protective effect of anxiety disorders only in women and not in men, but was also in the latter a positive trend. According to the TUM, men with anxiety disorders were treated on average 48 minutes earlier than subjects without anxiety disorders. "People with anxiety disorders have a higher risk of an infarct, but usually survive it more," said Prof. Ladwig.

Take affected persons seriously

According to the researchers, an anxiety disorder can certainly bring benefits. "Anxiety-stricken people can often respond more sensitively to their health needs," explains the study leader. This should be aware of physicians and sufferers should always be taken seriously, warns Prof. Ladwig. Also, the people with anxiety disorder are "more decisive when it comes to accepting help" and in the end, the "one illness can also help protect against another serious illness."

However, the people with anxiety disorder, according to the scientists pay a high spiritual price for their survival advantage. Because anxiety patients are significantly more likely to suffer from stress, extreme tiredness and limited general well-being - this is also evident from the current study. (Fp)