What about heart and mind in the COVID-19 era? #MMPMID32397693
Mazza M; Marano G; Antonazzo B; Cavarretta E; DI Nicola M; Janiri L; Sani G; Frati G; Romagnoli E
Minerva Cardiol Angiol 2021[Apr]; 69 (2): 222-226 PMID32397693show ga
From the time of Hippocratic medicine, heart-brain interactions have been recognized and contributed to both mental and physical health. Heart-brain interactions are complex and multifaceted and appear to be bidirectional. Exposure to chronic and daily stressors such as quarantine, or severe psychological trauma like a significant person in danger of life can affect the cardiovascular system and the emotional experience of the individual, leading to an increased risk of developing a cardiovascular disease or mental illness. Subjects with comorbidities between mental disorders and heart diseases are obviously more susceptible to be influenced by emotional burden due to the spread of COVID-19, with emotional responses characterized by fear, panic, anger, frustration. Psychological services and crisis interventions are needed at an early stage to reduce anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in such a stressful period, with a special attention to special groups of patients, such as women, children, or the elderly.
Minerva+Cardiol+Angiol 2021 ; 69 (2): 222-226
