
Psychosomatics 45:185-196, June 2004
© 2004 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine
What's "Unstable" in Unstable Angina?
Mark W. Ketterer, Ph.D.,
Gregory Mahr, M.D.,
Jie J. Cao, M.D.,
Michael Hudson, M.D.,
Steve Smith, M.D., and
Walter Knysz, M.D.
Received May 2, 2003; revision received Sept. 20, 2003; accepted Oct. 17, 2003. From the Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry Department and Heart and Vascular Institute of the Henry Ford Health Sciences Center. Address reprint requests to Dr. Ketterer, Henry Ford Hospital/CFP6, 2799 West Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202; MarkWKetterer{at}cs.com (e-mail).
The role of emotional distress (e.g., anger, depression, and anxiety) in anginal chest discomfort (ACD) may have been underestimated. The authors review the empirical studies in this area, which are inconsistent with the standard theory on the ischemia-angina relationship; summarize the substantial evidence indicating a strong and consistent cross-sectional/prospective epidemiological association of emotional distress and ischemia/ACD; review the distress-targeted, interventional evidence confirming a causal relationship (i.e., reduced chest discomfort and health system utilization), thus confirming clinical utility of such interventions; and explore the possible mechanisms that might account for the relationship between emotional distress and chest discomfort. Substantial clinical benefit may be achieved by aggressively detecting and treating emotional distress in ACD patients.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. E. Hofkamp, C. A. Henrikson, and S. T. Wegener
An Interactive Model of Pain and Myocardial Ischemia
Psychosom Med,
September 1, 2007;
69(7):
632 - 639.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
F. N. Jacka, J. A. Pasco, S. McConnell, L. J. Williams, M. A. Kotowicz, G. C. Nicholson, and M. Berk
Self-Reported Depression and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Community Sample of Women
Psychosomatics,
February 1, 2007;
48(1):
54 - 59.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
Get information about faster international access.
a>
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2004
Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine.
All rights reserved.
Home
| Search
| Current Issue
| Past Issues
| Subscribe
| All APPI Journals
| Help
| Contact Us
|