Anxiety is a known psychological symptom related to atherosclerosis. One potential underlying pathophysiological pathway is inflammatory processes, summed up as autonomic nervous system dysfunction and overactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, that connect anxiety disorders with heightened atherosclerosis, the study’s researchers noted. If there is not enough oxygen for the brain with the blood, this may result in behavioral changes and emotional disturbances.
When heart palpitations hit when breathing becomes difficult, or chest pain follows, it can also lead to sudden anxiety. Detecting atherosclerosis by the potential symptoms of each individual is critical to preventing atherosclerotic complications of the disease that can be fatal.
