How to Recognize and Treat Cardioneurosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Doctor’s Advice
Cardioneurosis, or the so-called “false heart pain,” often causes concern among people; however, this condition is not related to heart damage. Its cause lies in the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system rather than an organic heart disease. Neurologist Oksana Shchitnik explains how to recognize cardioneurosis, what triggers its development, and how to alleviate its symptoms.
This is reported by AgroReview
Cardioneurosis: Essence and Causes
Cardioneurosis is a functional disorder of the cardiovascular system that primarily arises under the influence of psychosomatic factors. Patients may experience pain or heaviness in the left side of the chest, palpitations, or irregular heart rhythms, even though the heart remains anatomically healthy and serious pathologies or heart attacks are absent.
The basis for the development of cardioneurosis is disruptions in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. In addition to heart pain, such cases often exhibit shortness of breath, dizziness, general weakness, as well as decreased stress tolerance and poor tolerance to physical exertion.
Experts identify several groups of causes that influence the onset of this condition:
- Psychological characteristics, hereditary predisposition, nervous system diseases, emotional sensitivity, and tendencies toward depression or anxiety disorders.
- Provoking factors can include chronic stress, overwork, lack of sleep, hormonal changes (for example, during menopause), and infectious diseases.
- Sometimes the disorder arises due to external factors: hypothermia, sudden temperature changes, intense noise, or vibration.
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
The main symptom of cardioneurosis is a dull or squeezing pain in the heart area, which lacks a clear localization and may radiate to the back, neck, shoulder, or even lower back. Such pains are not relieved by nitroglycerin. Accompanying manifestations include rapid heartbeat, fluctuations in blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, chronic fatigue, decreased work capacity, and digestive disorders (spasms, nausea, belching). The duration and frequency of attacks depend on the psychological state and external triggers.
For accurate diagnosis, consultation with a therapist, cardiologist, neurologist, and psychotherapist is necessary. To exclude organic heart diseases, an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, Holter monitoring, laboratory tests, and stress tests are conducted.
“Cardioneurosis (or heart neurosis) is a functional disorder of the cardiovascular system associated with psychosomatic factors. Patients complain of pain and heaviness in the left side of the chest, palpitations, and rhythm disturbances. Meanwhile, the heart is anatomically healthy: the muscle tissue is not damaged, and heart attacks and other severe pathologies are absent.”
Treatment for cardioneurosis is comprehensive. The first step is to eliminate provoking factors (adequate sleep, rest, and stress reduction). Additionally, psychotherapy, physiotherapy procedures, vitamin complexes, magnesium and potassium supplements, and calming herbal remedies are prescribed. In complex cases, the use of antidepressants or tranquilizers may be necessary. Breathing exercises, meditation, moderate physical activity, and the cessation of harmful habits are also recommended.
Consequences and First Aid During an Attack
Cardioneurosis does not lead to organic heart damage; however, it requires attention. A prolonged course can lead to hypochondria, deepening anxiety disorders or depression, as well as increasing the risk of developing arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and arrhythmias.
In the event of an attack, it is important to ensure the person is calm, provide access to fresh air, measure their blood pressure and pulse, give a mild sedative, and help distract them from the stress factor that triggered the exacerbation.