EU funded research has shown that when people are scared or stressed their blood flow slows down.  It is normal for all individuals to suffer from anxiety in certain situations, but for those with anxiety disorders it can be paralysing causing them to suffer from breathing difficulties, fainting and cold sweats.  The research compared blood samples from 31 patients suffering from severe forms of anxiety disorders with a control group. The results showed that blood flow slowed down, due to coagulation a process where blood thickens to prevent blood loss, and at the same time the blood remains fluid through a process called fibrinolysis, which breaks down any clots that occurred during thickening. However, patients suffering from anxiety disorders blood coagulated and fibrinolysis was inhibited which in turn can lead to clotting and coronary artery blockages.

It is believed that this could be the 'missing link' to explain why patients with anxiety disorders have a statistically higher risk of dying from heart disease. However, Dr Geiser of the University of Bonn, who led the study said “Of course, this doesn't mean that every patient with a marked anxiety disorder must now worry about having a heart attack,”  she believes  in order to reduce the number of heart disorders, it would make sense to improve the way anxiety disorders are diagnosed and treated.

You can read more stories like this one in the May issue of European RTD Insight.