Is cardioneurosis a somatoform (psychosomatic) disorder?

Heart neurosis is a disease that develops when the nervous system malfunctions. During the pathological process, patients are diagnosed with the development of unpleasant symptoms, which negatively affect the quality of life.

Diagnosis of cardiac neuroses is a difficult process and requires them to be differentiated from other diseases of the organ.

Heart neurosis - description

Cardioneurosis is a mental disorder in which patients constantly live in fear of suffering a heart attack.
We are talking about panic attacks, fear of death and often complete social isolation. The classic symptom of cardiac neurosis is heart pain, which is not associated with any organic cause. Read on to find out what causes cardioneurosis and how to treat it. Cardioneurosis (heart phobia, cardiophobia, Da Costa syndrome) is a special form of anxiety disorder. Victims live in constant fear of having a heart attack. This fear is often accompanied by physical factors such as palpitations, heart pain, and affects the patient's entire life. This can increase panic attacks and fear of death.

A classic sign of cardiac neurosis is that the cardiologist cannot find a physical cause for the disease. Consequently, neurosis is one of the somatoform, autonomic dysfunctions. This means that the physical symptoms of cardiac neurosis do not have a physical cause, but are caused psychologically (that is, it is psychosomatic).

Sufferers pay more attention to themselves due to their fear, and they perceive every small change in the body with panic. Victims are often caught in a vicious cycle of anxiety and physical symptoms that they are unable to break on their own.

It is important to note that cardiac neurosis can develop into actual heart disease over time. In addition, cardiac neurosis can also be a concomitant symptom of physical illness. For example, people who have had a heart attack often develop cardioneurosis in fear of another heart attack.

Causes of cardioneurosis

Cardioneurosis is a variety of origins and manifestations, but fundamentally functional autonomic disorders. They are caused by a violation of the neurohumoral regulation of autonomic functions. Cardioneurosis is treated by doctors of various specialties: psychiatrists, psychotherapists, neurologists, cardiologists, and therapists.

The first manifestations and repeated exacerbations of cardioneurosis in a third of patients are provoked by the following factors:

Psychogenic;
Alcohol abuse;
Injuries;
Surgical interventions;
Repeated pregnancies and births.

In other patients, the disorder occurs without apparent provocation. Often the onset of the disease coincides with periods of hormonal changes in the body (puberty, first pregnancy). The background for the development of cardioneurosis can be previous neuroinfections, diseases of internal organs with a long period of asthenia, increased emotional reactivity of the body and hormonal changes (menopause).

Cardioneurosis: frequency, symptoms

About 15 percent of all patients who see a doctor for heart failure have cardiac neurosis; most of them are men. Cardiac neurosis occurs especially in those over 40 years of age. Young people rarely suffer from this.

The most important symptom of cardiac neurosis is the fear of a heart attack, which constantly accompanies a person. This fear can become so strong that it leads to panic attacks and fear of death.

As is often the case with anxiety, it speeds up the sufferers' pulse and increases their blood pressure. This may be accompanied by tachycardia and heart pain. In addition, with cardiac neuroses, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating and tremors may occur. Patients usually complain of several alternating symptoms.

Symptoms of cardiac neurosis can also spread to other organ systems: digestive problems and stomach pain are typical. Sleep disturbances are also a common concomitant symptom of cardiac neurosis.

Cardioneurosis: symptoms and course

The presence of hormonal imbalance, the use of psychotropic substances, alcohol, physical stress on the body, which manifests itself in the form of lack of sleep, a fair amount of workaholism - all this can serve as a catalyst for the appearance of cardioneurosis. This happens because the vital organ works more intensely in order to maintain homeostasis and restore the human body and leads to a disruption in comfort in the chest area, when various pains, spasms and other unpleasant sensations appear. For a person who has experienced this, an incredible fear “for his health” appears; he begins to suspect that he has a serious heart pathology and fears for his life; a fear of death appears. But when the patient understands the essence of what is happening and the causes of pain in the heart area, it becomes easier for him to endure this condition.

Anxious, psychosthenic, individuals prone to hypochondriacal fixation may focus too much of their attention on these symptoms, which will only hinder them in the future, and the symptoms will manifest themselves more often and more intensely. In these cases, patients associate pain in the heart area with panic attacks and all kinds of phobic disorders that can accompany cardiac neurosis. And this further contributes to the occurrence of vegetative crises without a physical cause. And the circle closes! A person experiences real fear and panic before a repetition of this condition, automatically “triggering” the symptoms of cardioneurosis. This can be repeated several times throughout the day!

With cardioneurosis, neurosis-like symptoms are observed, similar to the manifestation of a hypertensive crisis, and pronounced vegetative symptoms.

With cardioneurosis, the following conversion and psychopathological manifestations are observed:

instability when moving,
general weakness and lethargy in the body,
inner restlessness
failure of sleep-wake processes,
pressing pain in the chest, in the region of the heart, etc.,
there is a lump and tightness in the throat,
limbs go numb like “gloves and socks”,
difficulty breathing, feeling suffocated,

Autonomic manifestations of cardioneurosis:

increased heart rate,
irregular pulse,
increased sweating,
feeling of chills, intermittent flashes of cold and heat, etc.

It should be noted that the severity of typical complaints in cardioneurosis, characteristic of patients with hypertensive crisis (dizziness, chest discomfort, throbbing headache, sensation of “floaters in the eyes,” feeling of nausea), often do not correspond to the symptoms that should manifest themselves in low or moderate blood pressure levels.

During an “attack” of cardioneurosis, chest pain of various colors (cardialgia) can also be observed: stabbing, burning, squeezing, pressing pain behind the sternum and under the scapula. Patients can characterize these pain-sensations as “a feeling of emptiness in the chest”, “a heart squeezed in a vice.” Some patients experience “cardiac arrest.” And very significant for correct diagnosis, of course, is the fact that such painful, unpleasant and often numerous complaints and sensations manifest themselves without the presence of heart pathologies.

With cardioneurosis, panic and anxiety-phobic symptoms are often present (fear of dying, having a heart attack or stroke). And it is no longer clear what is true - high blood pressure (BP) causes anxiety, panic and fear, or, rather, they “catch up” with the BP numbers.

Such a panic attack, which is accompanied by elevated blood pressure numbers, usually lasts up to half an hour or even less. This requires the use of psychotropic therapy, since only the use of antihypertensive drugs has no effect. A panic attack can often “feel like” a hypertensive crisis, which “passes at the tip of a needle” when tranquilizers are administered intravenously.

Social isolation in cardioneurosis

Cardioneurosis is, first of all, a psychological problem. The fear of a heart attack outweighs all other feelings in everyday life. Affected individuals suffer from inner restlessness, live in constant reticence, and often exhibit depressive symptoms. They try to avoid any physical activity, excitement or stress, fearing that this may lead to a heart attack. In most cases, the social environment, such as family or work colleagues, is also included in this fear, as those affected believe that they cannot survive on their own. Many people lose confidence in their abilities and abilities. Relatives and friends often do not know how to behave in order to avoid anything that could upset a person.

Anyone who suffers from cardiac neurosis feels that despite all the attention he receives, no one, not even a doctor, can help him.

As a result, many sufferers withdraw into themselves. Sometimes, out of helplessness, even friends increasingly turn away. Social loneliness subsequently increases anxiety and symptoms of cardiac neurosis.

Cardioneurosis: causes and risk factors

Cardioneurosis is a psychosomatic disorder. This means that the symptoms and anxiety that arise have a mental rather than a physical cause.

There are several theories about where to look for the causes of cardiac neurosis:

Reasons in childhood:

The literature often describes the relationship between parents and children as a risk factor for the development of cardiac neuroses in later life. Different types of relationships may play a role here: mothers are often overprotective or, conversely, too dominant. Likewise, early child neglect can be a cause of distress when children do not have the opportunity to learn skills to cope with life's challenges.

Diseases in the social environment.

Scientists believe that the risk of cardiac neurosis is higher if a close relative or friend has already suffered from cardiac neurosis or an actual heart problem.

Mortality:

The death of a relative or friend makes you aware of your own mortality. Many people are afraid of death and react to this fear with excessive caution and the belief that they will actually die soon.

Conflicts and problems.

Unresolved problems and conflicts in everyday life can also contribute to the development of cardiac neurosis. They affect the functioning of the heart as usual: the heart beats faster. This reaction is often misinterpreted and interpreted as a serious illness.

Pre-existing conditions:

Cardioneurosis can also be a consequence of a previous disease. For example, people who have had a heart attack often experience an overwhelming fear of having another heart attack.

Treatment of the problem

The main difficulty lies in the patient’s lack of understanding of the nature of his disease. The main method of therapeutic intervention is psychotherapy, but in combination with drug treatment and strictly under the supervision of a doctor.

Psychotherapeutic treatment

The point of therapy is to neutralize the factors that stimulate the occurrence of the disease. The patient is recommended to visit a psychotherapist who will help relieve the subconscious fear of further attacks. First, anxiety is removed.

During the conversation, the psychotherapist lets you talk, listens carefully and teaches how to get rid of stress using auto-training or meditation. In extreme cases, hypnosis is used to determine the root cause of stress. With heart neurosis, the cause of anxiety and dissatisfaction is problems at work, personal life and one’s own shortcomings. Constant stress and contradictions cause depletion of nerve cells and lead to decreased ability to work, fatigue, and depression.

A psychotherapist helps you recognize weaknesses and understand how to avoid repeating the wrong reaction to stressful situations. She also conducts training sessions on managing emotions by delving into painful memories and developing ways to overcome them.

Having understood the source of neurosis and following the doctor’s instructions, the patient changes his view of the problems and successfully cures the disease.

How does cardioneurosis develop?

All these theories have a common point: people with cardiac neurosis are usually very sensitive and insecure. Thus, they often misinterpret a normal cardiac response and interpret it as the onset of illness. The heart is very sensitive to all mental changes: for example, it begins to beat faster than usual when there is anxiety, stress or everyday problems. Often you will sweat or begin to shake at the same time.

Cardioneurosis overestimates these symptoms. The patient begins to pay more attention than any other person to changes in their body. This leads to a vicious cycle of misinterpreted actions and fear that cannot be overcome on its own.

Tips for first aid during an attack

Tip #1

If an attack is accompanied by increased blood pressure and increased heart rate, you must call an ambulance.

Tip #2

Seating or laying a person down.

Tip #3

Provide a flow of fresh air (take the patient outside, open the windows).

Tip #4

Add 25-30 drops of tincture of valerian, peony, motherwort (give it to drink).

Tip #5

Keep calm. The fuss of others increases the patient's symptoms.

Recommendations for preventing an attack of cardioneurosis

Physical examination

The physical examination usually includes an ECG first. This examination is painless for patients. Several electrodes are attached to the arms and legs, and above the chest. In this way, cardiac activity is recorded and cardiac arrhythmias can be clearly recognized.

A blood test is also performed to determine cardiac neurosis.

If no problems are found during these initial tests, more advanced tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or cardiac ultrasound may be used.

If in all these studies there are no organic causes of complaints (doctors cannot find anything), then a suspicion arises that this is a psychological cause and, therefore, cardioneurosis is confirmed. Conversation with the patient provides decisive information for the diagnosis. It is usually carried out by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Diagnostics

Due to the fact that cardioneurosis is not caused by organic lesions of the heart, the pathology is diagnosed based on the following criteria:

The heart hurts with neurosis for three or more months.
There is a relationship between the manifestations of pathology and hormonal disorders. In particular, cardioneurosis is diagnosed if a woman during pregnancy or menopause is bothered by an unreasonable feeling of fear and tachycardia.
The presence of symptoms indicating damage to the autonomic nervous system. These include surges in blood pressure, increased sweating, pale skin, and others.

If cardiac neurosis is suspected, additional examinations of the patient are carried out in order to exclude other pathologies with similar symptoms:

electrocardiogram;
X-ray of the spine;
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland;
blood analysis.

Daily monitoring of cardiac activity is also prescribed to exclude arrhythmia.

Key symptom of anxiety

In conversations with the patient, the topic of fear is touched upon first of all, which gives the psychologist a decisive clue. People with heart neurosis are highly focused on their own heart and fear of illness. This could be a real fear of a heart attack or a fear of one's own death. In some cases, the theme of anxiety is also subtle and relates more generally to the daily lives of those affected.

It is also characteristic of cardiac neurosis that patients like to talk a lot about themselves and report in detail about their symptoms. Symptoms are not necessarily limited to the heart. They also often complain about problems with digestion, stomach or sleep disturbances, and previous mental complaints are reported.

During normal daily life or when other problems accumulate, such as at work, heart problems tend to get worse. On vacation, on the other hand, victims are usually much better off. Very rapid mood changes can occur.

Cardioneurosis: treatment

Since cardioneurosis is psychologically determined, its treatment should be carried out by a psychotherapist or psychosomatologist or psychologist.

Your doctor will then monitor your symptoms of cardiac neurosis, such as palpitations, for improvement. This includes teaching relaxation techniques (such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training), disease management strategies, and positive behaviors that the patient can use when dealing with heart problems.

The basis of treatment for cardiac neurosis is psychotherapy. It is important to make it clear to the person concerned that the symptoms are indeed present, but not physically caused, and are essentially harmless.

Depending on the problem and individuality of the patient, you can choose from two options: cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy, for example, psychoanalysis. A mixed form with elements of both is also possible.

Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches people with heart disease strategies to deal with heart problems. First of all, motor therapeutic elements are important: patients feel in their own body that their heart can cope with physical efforts without causing harm. In addition, the practice is to return to normal daily life and sports with light exercise equipment such as jogging, walking or swimming. This restores confidence in your own body and allows you to better cope with fears. As a result, the fear of a heart attack disappears and the patient is emboldened to do more—both physically and mentally.

Psychodynamic procedures are based on the patient’s understanding of the role of his psyche in the development of cardiac neurosis. Working through a person’s experiences, gaining mental stability and self-confidence can help him overcome the symptoms of cardioneurosis.

Treatment

It is necessary to treat cardiac neurosis , despite the fact that this pathology does not pose any danger, the patient experiences anxiety and concern for his health with each attack, which ultimately can cause real cardiac pathology.

First of all, you need to understand how to deal with attacks. The following is recommended:

Provide air flow - open a window, unbutton the top button of your shirt, go for a walk.
Try to breathe evenly and slowly.
If attacks appear as a result of exposure to external factors, it is necessary to eliminate them - do not overexert yourself physically, do not get into quarrels, and so on.
There is an opportunity to lie down, it is better to do it.
You need to try to distract yourself from negative feelings. Some people benefit from singing, others from adding, subtracting or multiplying numbers, and others from reading an interesting book.
You definitely need to measure your blood pressure to calm down and understand that there is no reason to worry.
Drink Corvalol, motherwort or valerian.
If the attack does not go away and the condition gets worse, you need to call an ambulance.

Valerian
After the attack has passed, care must be taken to ensure that it does not recur. If there is a need, you need to continue taking sedatives - valerian, Corvalol, motherwort.

In addition to stopping attacks, drug treatment of cardiac neurosis is also necessary. The doctor can prescribe sedatives - herbal or chemical origin, as well as tranquilizers - Gidazepam, Adaptol.

It must be said that the list of sedatives is very large , and the choice of an effective remedy is the prerogative of the doctor, who, taking into account the patient’s age, the severity of the pathology and other factors, will select an individual drug.

In some cases, you may need drugs that not only have a sedative effect, but also improve metabolic processes in the brain - Glycine, Phenibut.

Important! The patient must understand that cardioneurosis does not pose a threat, then the attacks will stop faster and the treatment will become more effective.

Among the wide variety of psychotherapeutic treatment methods, the most effective are:

conversations with the patient that his heart is completely healthy;

elimination of the provoking factor - solving problems at home or at work;
hypnosis - indicated to identify the cause of fears;
behavioral therapy.

It is recommended to normalize your work and rest schedule, get enough sleep, eat healthy and balanced, find a hobby you like, in short, lead a correct and balanced lifestyle.

Physical therapy is often prescribed, and it is especially useful for people whose cardioneurosis is caused by an inactive lifestyle.

Folk remedies

In this case, folk remedies will come in handy. It is strictly not recommended to treat serious heart pathologies with decoctions and tinctures of medicinal herbs, but for heart neurosis they can be used regularly.

You can try the following recipes:

Mix 100 grams of adonis, peony root, motherwort, 5 grams of hop cones, lemon balm and mint, take three tablespoons and pour a liter of boiling water. Infuse, strain and take a glass of infusion several times a day.
Take mullein, mint, calamus root in equal quantities, mix, and pour two tablespoons of boiling water over the floor. Infuse, strain and take for two weeks.
Take peony root, rosemary, lavender in equal quantities, mix, and pour two tablespoons into half a liter of boiling water. Infuse, strain, add honey and drink throughout the day.
Centaury has a positive effect on the nervous system and the functionality of the heart. Two tablespoons of herbs are poured into half a liter of boiling water. The drink is infused for 12 hours, then it is filtered and drunk like regular tea.

Relaxing baths have a very good effect; it is recommended to use:

oak leaves;
birch leaves;
hop cones.

elimination of the provoking factor - solving problems at home or at work;
hypnosis - indicated to identify the cause of fears;
behavioral therapy.

It is recommended to normalize your work and rest schedule, get enough sleep, eat healthy and balanced, find a hobby you like, in short, lead a correct and balanced lifestyle.

Physical therapy is often prescribed, and it is especially useful for people whose cardioneurosis is caused by an inactive lifestyle.

Folk remedies

You can try the following recipes:

Mix 100 grams of adonis, peony root, motherwort, 5 grams of hop cones, lemon balm and mint, take three tablespoons and pour a liter of boiling water. Infuse, strain and take a glass of infusion several times a day.
Take mullein, mint, calamus root in equal quantities, mix, and pour two tablespoons of boiling water over the floor. Infuse, strain and take for two weeks.
Take peony root, rosemary, lavender in equal quantities, mix, and pour two tablespoons into half a liter of boiling water. Infuse, strain, add honey and drink throughout the day.
Centaury has a positive effect on the nervous system and the functionality of the heart. Two tablespoons of herbs are poured into half a liter of boiling water. The drink is infused for 12 hours, then it is filtered and drunk like regular tea.

Relaxing baths have a very good effect; it is recommended to use:

oak leaves;
birch leaves;
hop cones.

You can use a bath with hop chic.
You can add essential oils to the bath - sage, eucalyptus, pine, lavender and others.

Alcohol tinctures have a good effect. For example, Adonis. To prepare it you will need 25 grams of grass and a quarter liter of vodka. The product should be infused for two weeks, and then the tincture is taken 10 drops before meals in the morning and evening. In the same way, you can prepare and take mountain arnica tincture.

Medical therapy

Be sure to consult with your doctor about the use of any medications!

At the beginning of therapy for cardiac neurosis, cardiac complaints can be further addressed with medication. Beta receptor blockers (beta blockers) reduce tachycardia. However, they are not suitable in the long term due to various side effects. In some cases, tranquilizers (tranquilizers) or antidepressants are also prescribed. In addition, they are not suitable for long-term therapy, as they can create dependence.

Treatment options

Drug therapy for cardioneurosis with drugs used in cardiology does not produce results. When asked how to treat cardioneurosis, medicine answers with a comprehensive treatment regimen:

psychotherapeutic sessions;
non-drug treatment methods;
drug therapy;
traditional methods of treatment;
preventive actions.

Psychotherapy

Experts recommend starting treatment for cardioneurosis with psychotherapeutic sessions. Individually or in a group, a person learns to reduce general anxiety, distract from negative thoughts and emotions, and receives a psychological mindset for healing. Nowadays, it is possible to get the right psychological attitude via the Internet. One of these resources is the channel of Nikita Valerievich Baturin, a specialist in working with psychosomatics.

Important! If a person is skeptical and does not trust the psychologist, then it is difficult to talk about the effectiveness of deliverance. Openness towards the specialist and faith in the possibility of a cure are required.

Specialists have many different approaches to treatment. With the help of cognitive-behavioral correction, the client realizes exactly what he did wrong and what triggered the attacks. The method of rational psychotherapy gives the patient an understanding of the causes of failures in the autonomic system, which makes their elimination more effective. Family psychotherapy helps if the cause of psycho-emotional problems is conflicts within the family. It is often used to treat children. Finally, hypnosis is prescribed to find the cause of the disease deep in the subconscious and deal with it in the future.

Note! A visit to a psychologist is never limited to one visit. The course usually consists of at least five sessions, sometimes more is necessary.

Non-drug methods

People diagnosed with cardioneurosis should completely reconsider their lifestyle and change it in accordance with the recommendations of doctors. Important:

maintain a balance between work and rest: do not overwork, regularly, every couple of hours, take breaks during both physical and mental stress, go to bed on time and leave at least 7 hours for sleep;
increase physical activity - play sports or simply walk more at a fast pace;
change your diet by replacing fatty foods with vegetables and fruits;
give up alcohol, reduce caffeine consumption;
take a course of massage, physical therapy;
master relaxation techniques (yoga, breathing exercises, meditation) and use them regularly;
engage in self-hypnosis, auto-training.

Listen to audio trance for fears and panic attacks:

Drug therapy

The doctor prescribes medications if the patient experiences frequent and severe attacks of cardioneurosis:

With the help of sedatives, nervous tension is relieved and the intensity of heart contractions is reduced. They have few side effects.
Antidepressants stabilize the psycho-emotional background, normalize the activity of the central nervous system, and relieve signs of depression. Side effect: drowsiness.
Taking tranquilizers relieves anxiety, obsessive states, insomnia, and depression.
Neuroleptics reduce anxiety, relieve obsessive states, and increased excitability.
Beta blockers help get rid of the vegetative symptoms present in cardiac neurosis.
Homeopathic medicines have anticonvulsant, sedative, and mild analgesic effects. Long-term use relieves feelings of panic and depression.
B complex vitamins improve nerve conduction and are useful for the prevention of heart disease.
Analgesics relieve headaches.
Drugs containing potassium in high concentrations stabilize blood pressure and heart function.

Attention! Particular caution is required when taking medications by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children and the elderly.

Folk remedies

Treatment of symptoms of cardioneurosis with folk remedies involves taking natural products. First of all, these are a variety of plants and herbal collections. It’s easy to prepare them yourself, for example, in a thermos. Valerian, mint, motherwort, and oregano have a good sedative effect. Microelements beneficial for the heart can be obtained from an infusion of dried apricots, rowan, hawthorn, viburnum, raisins, individually or in combination. Before going to bed, it is good to drink warm milk with a spoonful of honey added.

Cardioneurosis can be treated with folk remedies in both children and pregnant women, since the list of contraindications and side effects is very small. But you should definitely consult a doctor.