Role of emotional stress preceding coronary occlusion

It is suggested that thrombogenesis be distinguished from atherogenesis in order to further better understanding of coronary artery disease and coronaryThrombotic tendency may be of decisive influence in coronary occlusion in the younger age group as potentially precipitated by stress mechanisms operating on blood clotting.

Abstract

In an attempt to determine the role of emotional factors as precipitating causes of coronary occlusion, 41 patients, recent victims of the disease, were studied. In 23 patients a well-substantiated history of emotional stress prior to infarction was elicited. Three patterns of such stress could be demonstrated: (1) acute short-term stress (3 cases); (2) chronic or subacute stress, frequently complicated by acute stress immediately prior to coronary occlusion (11 cases); and (3) emotional stress as a contributory factor to other stress mechanisms (9 cases). Emotional stress could be more frequently shown to precede coronary occlusion in younger than in older people. It is suggested that thrombogenesis be distinguished from atherogenesis in order to further better understanding of coronary artery disease and coronary thrombosis; thrombotic tendency may be of decisive influence in coronary occlusion in the younger age group as potentially precipitated by stress mechanisms operating on blood clotting; atherogenesis, on the other hand, represents the aspect of a usually slow vascular degenerative disorder which has to be attacked mainly on a longterm basis.