Chest pain can be caused by many cardiac conditions, such as angina, and by many other conditions, such as panic attacks. Scientists at Harvard University surveyed 3,063 women after menopause to explore the connection among panic, chest pain and daily life ischemia (reduced blood supply to an organ).

The women, ages 50 to 79, filled out a questionnaire reporting panic attacks in the past six months. They also underwent a 24-hour electrocardiogram that monitored their hearts as they went about their daily routines.

The volunteers with a recent history of panic attack had rates of ischemia similar to those of the other women. However, they were more likely to experience chest pain. They also had lower heart rate variability, though this finding was not statistically significant after accounting for confounding factors.

The researchers concluded that postmenopausal women with a recent history of panic attacks had increased chest pain and possibly reduced heart rate variability, indicating that panic bouts might be associated with cardiovascular risk.

The study was published last month in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

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