WHY DO IMMINENT VICTIMS OF A CARDIAC EVENT FEEL SO TIRED

A state of vital exhaustion, characterised by unusual tiredness and la ck of energy, increased irritability and feelings of demoralisation, h as been found to be one of the precursors of myocardial infarction and other cardiac events. These feelings probably reflect decreased activ ity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Treatment of the condi tions leading to this state of vital exhaustion might decrease the ris k of a cardiac event.