Panic disorder and the heart: a cardiology perspective

Panic disorder is a common condition that includes symptoms that may masque rade as a primary cardiovascular disorder. In addition, many patients with cardiovascular disease may also have panic disorder. To date, no definitive pathophysiological mechanism for panic disorder has been found; however, t here are several hypotheses in the literature. Patients with syndrome X, co ronary artery disease and/or palpitations, in addition to panic disorder al l present to cardiologists. How ever, many patients go undiagnosed and ulti mately place large costs on the health care system as a result. Panic disor der is a treatable condition, and cardiologists could easily identify patie nts with panic disorder and initiate appropriate therapy and/or referral. ( C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.