by Vonda J. Sines

Created on: July 16, 2009

For years, doctors have wondered whether psychological stresses affect the chest pain sometimes endured by people suffering from coronary artery disease. Researchers recently reported that they believe there's a definite link.

Coronary artery disease is the most prevalent kind of heart disease, according to The Washington Post. Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when a section of heart muscle lacks a sufficient supply of blood rich in oxygen. It isn't a disease but a symptom of coronary artery disease.

Estimates suggest that 7 million people in the United States suffer from angina, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Doctors diagnose about 400,000 new cases every year.

The June 30, 2009 issue of the journal Circulation reported the results of a study following 191 adults with an average age of 63. Each subject suffered from a partial blockage of a coronary artery. Of the study group, 57 indicated that they suffered from weekly or even daily bouts of angina. Sixty-six reported monthly attacks, The Post stated.

The results suggest that patients with at least moderate anxiety were five times as likely as those without this distress to suffer from frequent angina pain. Those diagnosed with depression were three times as likely to have frequent symptoms of angina as the patients who weren't depressed.

Patients who suffer from angina experience the sensation of pressure or squeezing in their chests. This discomfort at times extends to the jaw, neck, back or arms.

Coronary artery disease develops when a patient's blood flow to the heart is impeded by clots or narrowed arteries. Most of these individuals also experience angina, although some do not. In some cases, when tests fail to show the presence of coronary artery disease, angina is a sign of the condition. Cases of angina are evenly split between males and females.

Most of the subjects in this study were white males. The scope of the research had other several limitations as well. It relied on subjects' recall for the data on angina occurrences. It also failed to determine whether depression or anxiety actually increased angina.

The data also did not suggest whether treating the subjects for anxiety and depression could reduce their angina attacks. Nor did it reveal whether being a patient with angina added to patients' feelings of anxiety or depression.

Not all chest discomfort can be attributed to angina. A heart attack, lung issues such as an infection or a blood clot, heartburn and panic attacks are all likely culprits. Anyone who experiences chest pain, however, should see a doctor promptly.

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