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Abstract
Psychological factors such as stress and depression have already been established as primary and secondary cardiovascular risk factors. More recently, the role of anxiety in increasing cardiac risk has also been studied. The underlying mechanisms of increased cardiac risk in panic disorder patients seem to reflect the direct and indirect effects of autonomic dysfunction, as well as behavioral risk factors associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. Implications of the comorbidity between panic and cardiovascular disease include higher morbidity, functional deficits, increased cardiovascular risk, and poor adherence to cardiac rehabilitation or exercise programs. This article probes the most recent evidence on the association between coronary artery disease, anxiety and panic disorder, and discusses the potential role of incorporating regular physical exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of this condition.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This work was supported by the Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), grant 470382/2006-6, and the National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq). Aline Sardinha is receiving a doctoral fellowship from CAPES. Claudio Gil Araújo receives research support from CNPq and from Scientist of Our State – Rio de Janeiro program (FAPERJ). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.