Severe anxiety may increase risk for blood clots

AORN Journal, May, 2008

Intense fear and panic may cause blood dotting and increase a patient's risk of thrombosis or myocardial infarction, according to a March 25, 2008, news release from the University of Bonn, Germany. In a recent study, researchers compared coagulation in 31 patients who suffer from anxiety disorders (ie, agoraphobia or social phobia) to coagulation in a healthy control group with 31 patients of the same age and gender.

Patients submitted blood samples and were asked to perform a number of computer tests. A second brood sample was then taken. Blood analysis indicated a much higher activated coagulation system in the patients with anxiety disorders.

In a normal coagulation system, two indispensable mechanisms operate in opposite directions and counterbalance each other. One mechanism thickens the brood and forms a plug in order to prevent excessive breeding. The other mechanism keeps the blood fluid and breaks down dots (ie, fibrinolysis). In the patients with anxiety disorders, however, there was an activation of coagulation accompanied by an inhibition of fibrinolysis. For these patients, the coagulation system goes out of balance as the coagulation tendency rises. This could lead to dangerous consequences; extreme imbalances may cause blockage of a coronary artery.

Researchers concluded that an increased coagulation tendency may explain why patients with anxiety disorders have a statistically higher risk of death from heart disease. Not every patient with a severe anxiety disorder is at risk unless other risk factors (eg, smoking, obesity) are added to the equation. A follow-up study indicated that the coagulation activity may subside in patients who have successfully treated their anxiety disorder.

Fear that freezes the blood in your veins [news release]. Bonn, Germany: University of Bonn; March 25, 2008. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-03/uob. ftf032508.php. Accessed March 25, 2008.