Life Situations, Emotions, and Extrasystoles

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Abstract
Twelve unselected patients with cardiac arrhythmias involving extrasystoles were studied intensively to determine the influence of psychologic factors. Detailed histories were supplemented by an evaluation of current life situations and emotional adjustments. A series of interviews was held with each patient and the circumstances in which the extrasystoles occurred were analyzed. The ecg. was recorded during interviews in which there was an attempt to induce cardiac arrhythmias experimentally through psychologic stimuli. In the group studied, the extrasystoles were found to be relevantly related in each case to the patient''s emotional state and life situation. The discussion of topics which increased the anxiety of the patient initiated or increased the frequency of extrasystoles. Although patients with structural heart disease are particularly subject to arrhythmias brought about by anxiety, the irregularities may occur where structural heart damage is not present. Treatment for this condition should include adequate management of psychologic factors in the life situation of the patient. Protocols of the patients are included.
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