The Influence of Fear on the Electrocardiogram

Abstract

While investigating the effect of an anasthetic on the cardiac action, we chanced on the observation that fear of an impending operation produced remarkable changes in the electrocardiogram of many persons with normal hearts. We therefore proceeded to a systematic investigation in a larger number. Having reported some of these results (Mainzer and Krause, 1939), we are now adding further material, and trying to discuss the cardiographic and clinical significance of the findings. The circulatory response of the organism, whether normal or pathological, to various psychic stimuli is a wide field of research that has been exhaustively investigated; and the influence of a psychic emotion, such as fear, on the cardiographic tracing forms only a small part of it. Nevertheless, there is such a striking parallelism between our electrocardiograms and the tracings obtained in coronary insufficiency or in myocardial damage that a discussion seems justified. The electrocardiogram as induced by psychic emotion has been investigated by psychologists (Astruck, 1923 ; Landis and Slight, 1929 ; Weinberg, 1923). The results, which are mostly reported in the archives of psychology or psychiatry-including the paper of Blatz (1925), who is the only one to have studied the influence of fear on the electrocardiogram-are unfortunately not at our disposal. Bier (1930) found high P, R, and T waves after pleasant excitement in some of his experiments. The majority of workers used hypnosis to provoke emotional excitement. Boas and Goldschmidt (1930), recording the pulse rate previous to and during surgical operations with Boas' cardiotachometer, found it increased in frequency just before operation and instantly slowed down on the induction of general anesthesia. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION The following procedure was taken in our examinations. In patients of the surgical or gynmcological departments of our hospital we recorded electrocardiograms: (1) one day before operation, the patient knowing nothing of the Q 221

The Electrocardiogram of Cynopithecus Niger

“…In chimpanzees, inverted T waves were usually recorded in the precordial leads [23]. A pharmacological study carried out in Macaca mulatta suggests th at the abnorm al repolari zation pattern may be related to an autonomic nervous system im balance (data unpublished), being similar to the "functional" electro cardiogram [24] described in man in association with fear [15] and anxiety [14]. The significance of this finding in Cynopithecus niger is not known.…”

Cardiovascular Reactions to Emotional Stimuli. Effect on the Cardiac Output, Arteriovenous Oxygen Difference, Arterial Pressure, and Peripheral Resistance

“…In such cases the periph¬ eral resistance is decreased, but the compensatory increase in cardiac output fails to occur, with a resultant fall of blood pressure to low levels. 3. In a small group of subjects anxiety results in an increase in peripheral resistance and art ele¬ vation of blood pressure, with no change or a fall in cardiac output.…”

Cardiovascular Reactions to Emotional Stimuli. Effect on the Cardiac Output, Arteriovenous Oxygen Difference, Arterial Pressure, and Peripheral Resistance 1

“…Emotional disturbances may have a profound effect on the circulation, causing changes in the heart rate, cardiac output (1 and 2), blood pressure, tone of peripheral vessels, and the electrocardiogram (3). This is particularly true of the emotional state which may develop in persons who find themselves in a hazardous situation.…”