Mangaluru: Mental health experts in Mangaluru have reported a growing number of individuals seeking psychiatric assistance due to an overwhelming fear of suffering a heart attack — a condition now referred to as cardio phobia.
Psychiatrists stress that people shouldn’t be overly influenced by the misfortunes of others or assume they will face similar health issues. Yet, constant exposure to news about rising heart attack incidents has sparked heightened anxiety, with some individuals misinterpreting normal bodily sensations as signs of heart trouble.
Doctors note an uptick in patients arriving with concerns such as, “I think I have heart-related problems. What should I do?” Even after receiving confirmation from cardiologists that their heart is functioning normally, many remain unconvinced. Seeking reassurance, they often consult multiple doctors, only to eventually land in a psychiatrist’s office.
Medical professionals identify this as cardio phobia, where patients persistently fear heart disease despite normal test results. Previously, such cases were occasional — one or two a week. Now, psychiatrists report seeing up to three similar cases daily. Some patients even travel from neighbouring areas to consult specialists. Most belong to the 30–45 age bracket.
Psychiatrists emphasize that these individuals benefit more from psychological support than medication. Emotional counselling, combined with encouragement from friends and family, is crucial in helping them break the cycle of fear.
Dr. Sunil Kumar of Wenlock District Hospital noted a comparable trend during the COVID-19 era, when fear of the virus led to similar mental health issues — a pattern now repeating with cardio phobia.