The Interrelationship Between Anxiety and Arrhythmias

ECG During Helicopter Underwater Escape Training

“…140/90 mmHg), or on antihypertensive drugs. Participants refrained from eating, smoking, and drinking alcoholic or caffeinated drinks for 12 h prior to attending the laboratory; these may precipitate arrhythmias ( 3 ). They also undertook no vigorous exercise for 24 h before testing ( 6 ).…”

“…Such situations usually result in the release of stress hormones, including adrenaline, and increasing heart rate and blood pressure ( 3 ). These responses are characteristic of the " alert (fi ght or fl ight) " response, mediated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).…”