CHEST PAIN, PALPITATIONS AND PANIC

Chest pain and palpitations are commonly described in the general popu lation and are frequent presenting symptoms in all medical settings, A lthough often transient, they can be persistent and are associated wit h considerable disability; distress, and concern about heart disease a nd use of medical resources. Both symptoms are associated with panic b ut also with other psychiatric disorders. II is most useful to conside r etiology as multicausal and interactive; psychological factors affec t interpretation of bodily perceptions and have deleterious effects on quality of life and use of medical resources. There is evidence that general measures and specific drug and psychological treatments can be effective. There is still uncertainty about the most appropriate ways of providing effective care to large numbers of patients. (C) 1998 El sevier Science Inc.