Chest pain as a common symptom in general population is considered to be
the second most common cause of presentation to emergency departments of medical
centers. Such pains are categorized broadly into cardiac chest pain (CCP) vs. noncardiac
chest pain (NCCP). In patients with cardiac diseases, the main symptoms of
psychological reactions to pain include psychological stress, fear and anxiety, pain
resulting from anxiety, and anxiety and depression as a result of pain. Furthermore,
there is a relationship between perceived psychological factors and the psychological
distress, and sustained NCCP could lead to the development of depression, stress and
low mental quality of life. Controlled clinical trials on treating CCP and NCCP have
shown that these relatively extensive interventions have been effective in reducing
psychological distress, periods of chest pain frequency, and lowering functional
problems.
Keywords: Angina pectoris, Cardiac chest pain, Cardiovascular diseases,
Cognitive - behavior therapy, Non-cardiac chest pain, Psychological distress,
Psychological factors, Psychotherapy.
