A Case of Being Scared to Death

Cardiac Inhibitory Reflex as a Cause/Mechanism of Death

“…It is widely admitted that emotional or somatic factors may elicit an intense parasympathetic state leading to bradycardia, hypotension, and, eventually, asystolia . Cases of vasovagal syndrome secondary to painful or distressing events have resulted in death . In addition, the larynx is a well‐known highly reflexogenic area, and mechanical stimuli may give rise to a number of reflexes that result in cardiovascular and autonomic responses .…”

“…Vasovagal syncope, “the common faint,” is described in association with injury, pain, hunger, crowding, fear, or anxiety, and many other situations that are not normally regarded as a serious condition by either patients or physicians . Although it is usually transitory, and spontaneous recovery of the normal cardiac rhythm is the rule, cases of severe, or even fatal, vasovagal syncope secondary to painful and distressing events are well documented in the medical literature .…”

Needle Phobia During Pregnancy

“…Some experience an ineffectual response when a feared object is encountered. In extreme cases “freezing,” fainting, having a seizure, ventricular arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, or sudden death may occur (Schraeder, Pontzer, & Engel, 1983). Presence of a feared object or event, from everyday upsets to overwhelming catastrophes, may initiate a physiological chain of events among vulnerable individuals (Engel, 1976; Schraeder et al, 1983).…”

Low-frequency detection in ECG signals and joint EEG-Ergospirometric measurements for precautionary diagnosis

“…That is one of the reasons of establishing a threshold level for investigating according to the idea of this research. Based on data collected on patients with ventricular tachycardia [11] or induced asystole [12], there is a delay in the appearance of EEG changes after onset of the cardiac arrhythmia.…”