Angela is a young professional with a busy life who has a growing fear that she might have a heart problem. Every time she feels a flutter or chest tightness, her mind races to the worst case — a heart attack. She visits the doctor repeatedly, gets ECGs, and is told her heart is healthy. Still, the fear won’t go away. Angela is living with cardiophobia, an anxiety disorder where fear of heart disease hijacks her thoughts and body.
What is Cardiophobia?
Cardiophobia is a specific phobia marked by an intense fear of heart problems or heart attacks, even when medical tests confirm a healthy heart. This fear can make normal sensations, like heart palpitations and chest discomfort, feel terrifying. For Angela, the fear was so vivid it trapped her in a cycle of anxiety: she felt symptoms, convinced herself she was in danger, which caused more anxiety and worsened her symptoms.
How Anxiety Affects the Heart
Anxiety triggers the body’s “fight or flight” response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline. This can cause:
- Increased heart rate (palpitations)
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
One study found that about 30% of people who saw a cardiologist for a new visit had symptoms of noncardiac chest pain due to anxiety, depression or another psychiatric condition. In the same study, cardiophobia accounted for 2% to 5% of all emergency department visits.
Signs Angela Experienced:
Specific phobias can cause panic attacks — sudden episodes of anxiety with intense physical symptoms, and cardiophobia shares the same types of symptoms as someone having a panic attack.
- Frequent chest pain that wasn’t cardiac in origin
- Heart palpitations and fluttering
- Persistent worry about heart health despite clear tests
- Avoidance of physical exercise
- Checking her pulse multiple times a day
- Learn more about other symptoms of cardiophobia here.
Managing Cardiophobia:
Your healthcare provider may recommend medical assessment through tests like ECGs and echocardiograms. Read more on how to manage Cardiophobia here.
Next Steps
Understanding cardiophobia and receiving medical support can heal both heart and mind. If anxiety is making you fear for your heart, remember to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV). Prayer for peace anchors your heart during turmoil. Take our heart test at EyoleHeartNurture.com today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anxiety cause heart problems?
Anxiety itself doesn’t cause heart disease, but it can worsen heart symptoms and reduce quality of life if untreated. Chronic stress may influence heart health indirectly. [Cleveland Clinic]
Can cardiophobia cause heart attack symptoms?
Yes, cardiophobia can cause symptoms like chest pain and palpitations that resemble heart attacks but are caused by anxiety. Confirming heart health with tests is essential. [Cleveland Clinic]
How do I stop worrying about my heart health?
Seek medical reassurance, engage in CBT, practice relaxation techniques, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce anxiety about your heart.
Can anxiety cause your heart to beat fast?
Yes, anxiety stimulates adrenaline release, which can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations). [Cleveland Clinic]
How to fix cardiophobia?
You can fix cardiophobia through a combination of medical evaluation, psychotherapy (especially CBT), stress-reduction techniques, and lifestyle changes. Medication may help in some cases. [Cleveland Clinic]
