Have you ever experienced dizziness and fatigue when working overtime or exerting your brain too much? And when you’re mentally highly stressed, do you feel a tightness in your chest and have difficulty catching your breath, or even a subtle, intermittent pain in your heart? When these symptoms occur, some people may suspect that their heart is having problems. In reality, it is often not due to cardiac pathology but rather related to “cardiac neurosis” or “effort syndrome.”
Cardiac neurosis, also known as functional cardiac discomfort or effort syndrome, is a specific type of neurosis. It is commonly seen in young adults aged 20 to 40, especially those who experience high work-related stress. Additionally, empty nesters, menopausal women, and introverted individuals are also prone to this condition. The occurrence of these symptoms is closely related to emotions. When we are in a prolonged state of tension, anxiety, or other negative emotions, it can disrupt the autonomic nervous system regulation in our body. This leads to chronic sympathetic nervous system activation and gradual weakening of the parasympathetic nervous system, resulting in a series of atypical symptoms related to the heart, such as palpitations, tachycardia, shortness of breath, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, sweating, and fatigue, among others. Since this condition does not cause organic damage to the heart, it is often difficult to detect during medical examinations. This also leads to many patients seeking medical help in vain, experiencing heightened anxiety, and worsening of their condition.
Due to the unique nature of this condition, a “dual-focus” approach is often adopted in clinical treatment, addressing both psychological and cardiac aspects. From a psychological perspective, doctors usually inform patients that this condition does not harm the heart and has a very good prognosis, so there is no need to be overly anxious. Additionally, patients are advised to learn to relax, manage their emotions, avoid high-stress work, and refrain from consuming strong tea, coffee, and other foods for a period of 1-3 months to prevent further central nervous system stimulation and delay the recovery of the condition. From a cardiac care perspective, it is recommended to develop a habit of regular exercise. It is recommended to engage in approximately 150-300 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, as this helps alleviate stress, promote blood circulation, and prevent the deposition of lipid plaques in the blood vessels. In terms of diet, it is advised to consume less high-salt, high-fat, and high-sugar foods, and instead, eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial for vascular health, such as salmon, tuna, chia seeds, walnuts, and more.
Finally, it is important to note that not all cardiovascular symptoms are related to cardiac neurosis. The diagnosis of cardiac neurosis requires careful consideration and is often made after ruling out organic diseases through relevant cardiovascular examinations such as coronary CTA, coronary angiography, dynamic electrocardiogram, and others. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as palpitations or chest tightness, it is still necessary to seek prompt medical attention for diagnosis.