What is a cardiac neuropathy?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Quoc Viet - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital. The doctor has more than 20 years of experience in the examination and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and Cardiovascular Interventions (Including angiography, dilation, stenting of coronary arteries, renal arteries...), placing temporary pacemakers , forever...

Cardiac neuropathy is not a physical disease of the cardiovascular system, but essentially a psychological disease, often caused by anxiety and stress in the patient. Many patients go to the doctor, feeling anxious when the doctor diagnoses as “cardiac neuropathy” and does not know how the disease affects the heart and health. The disease has no specific treatment and sometimes recurs.

Cardiac neuropathy is also known as autonomic nervous disorder, or anxiety disorder. The autonomic nervous system is a part of the nervous system with the function of controlling all the activities of the internal organs of the body including: sweat glands, saliva, digestion, intestines, stomach, liver, bladder, kidney, genitourinary system, blood vessels, pupils, heart, ... This is the nervous system that does not work according to the will and regulation of humans.

What causes neurocardiomyopathy has not been found so far. However, researchers believe that the following factors can lead to an unstable autonomic nervous system:
Nerves are stressed. Pressure and anxiety in work and life. The environment is polluted with a lot of dust that affects the body. Common in people who are "sensitive", or anxious

Cardiac neuropathy is not a heart disease. So when tests include an electrocardiogram or an ultrasound, the results will not show any abnormalities or damage to the heart. The diagnosis is usually based on one or more of the following symptoms:
3.1 Nervousness Autonomic nervous system controls heart rate. If the nerves of the heart are disturbed, the heart will beat faster or slower than normal. When the heart beats too fast, the patient feels nervous, anxious and afraid. Anxiety is a typical symptom of cardiac neuropathy.
3.2 Chest pain: The disease causes pain in the chest area, which can be sharp, tight. It makes the patient even more worried.
3.3 Dizziness This is also one of the common symptoms caused by excessively rapid heart rate leading to cerebral ischemia, postural hypotension. Patients often feel dizzy, lightheaded, can't keep their balance, may fall or faint...
3.4 Shortness of breath Cardiac nerve disorders cause shortness of breath and shortness of breath, therefore, patients usually do not I like crowded places.
3.5 Trembling hands and feet, sweating a lot The patient experiences this symptom when the heart beats fast, the spirit is panic, it is due to the overstimulation of the autonomic nervous system.
3.6 Insomnia Due to frequent nervousness and anxiety, the patient will find it difficult to fall asleep, sleep poorly and lead to insomnia.
3.7 Fatigue Cardiac neuropathy makes the person feel tired and lethargic. This condition goes on for a long time and is often difficult to recover from, even with rest.
3.8 Hyperventilation This is also one of the common symptoms of the disease. The patient will feel numbness and itching around the mouth, then the person will have rapid breathing, panic, anxiety and possibly fainting. To handle this condition, you can cover your nose with your hand and stop breathing for a few seconds, the symptoms will disappear.
3.9 Stomach pain: Patients often have epigastric pain, belching, acidity.. Most of the time, cardiac neuropathy only causes anxiety and discomfort in the early stages, so it is difficult for patients to recognize it. know that the disease, the disease often recurs when experiencing strong emotions, excessive worry, causing nervous tension. . When the disease progresses seriously with the above symptoms, the patient is often afraid and worried, easily leading to depression, thus, making the disease worse and worse.

Cardiac neuropathy can be treated if the cause of the disorder can be identified. The disease has high treatment efficiency and good prognosis when patients cooperate and change to have a healthier lifestyle.
To prevent, limit as well as overcome the disease, people with heart disorders need:
Limit staying up too late. Do not use stimulants such as coffee, tobacco, tea, alcohol, ... Limit strong emotions, excessive anxiety causing nervous tension. Rest for a period (1 - 3 months) in a quiet place. Have a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Exercise regularly. Do not arbitrarily buy and use drugs not prescribed by a doctor. Cardiac neuropathy is a benign, treatable disease. A healthy lifestyle, avoiding strong emotions and excessive anxiety can help prevent and relieve symptoms caused by the disease.
Currently, the Mental Health Clinic - Vinmec International General Hospital has the function of examining, consulting and outpatient treatment of psychological and mental health problems. Among them, there is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. With modern equipment, Vinmec Psychological Health Clinic is currently cooperating with experienced professors and experts, creating trust with customers.