Ananxiety disorderis characterized by excessive worry and fear that won’t go away or may get worse over time.

Heart disease describes various conditions that can affect the heart and blood vessels.

Anxiety disorders are common in people with heart disease and can have an impact on heart health.

Lifestyle Changes for Anxiety and Heart Disease: A person breathing (practice relaxation techniques), a red line circle with a slash through it near fries and a hot dog (limit deep-fried, high-fat, and processed foods), a group of chairs (seek a support group), a weight and jump rope (exercise regularly), fish, apple, and other healthy foods (eat whole foods rich in vitamins and nutrients)

Verywell / Jessica Olah

Over time, these effects can lead to heart disease.

A doctor can test your blood for specific heart muscle enzymes to see if you are having aheart attack.

Anxiety can also lead to fear and uncertainty about your health.

Your fears might keep you from following your treatment plan.

People with anxiety disorders are also less likely to attend and complete cardiac rehabilitation programs.

These behavioral factors in people with anxiety disorders can increase the likelihood of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Accurate diagnosis is necessary for the proper treatment of these disorders.

Online screening tools are to be used for informational purposes only.

Only your doctor or a mental health professional can diagnose you with a mental health condition.

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

Research has shown that SNRIs can also be dangerous for people with heart disease.

SSRIs are the first choice of medication for someone with both heart disease and an anxiety disorder.

It teaches people different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to anxiety-producing and fearful objects and situations.

Managing your stress levels throughrelaxation techniqueslike deep breathing can help alleviate stress.

Exercising regularly can also help reduce stress.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers differentsupport groupsfor people with anxiety.

The American Heart Association (AHA) offers asupport networkfor people with heart disease to connect with one another.

Summary

Heart disease and anxiety are closely connected.

They can help you figure out if there are other ways that you could reduce your risk.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anxiety and heart disease.

National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.

doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-16-00378

U.S. National Library of Medicine.Being active when you have heart disease.