PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS AND CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY

Mortality from diseases of the cardiovascular system has been at the forefront throughout the world for more than 20 years, and especially in recent years. About 17.4 million people die from cardiovascular diseases every year in the world; in Belarus in recent years, the mortality rate from this type of pathology ranges from 740-800 per 100.000 population. Of all cardiovascular diseases, a large proportion falls on coronary heart disease and arterial hypertension with its complications - myocardial infarctions and strokes. In the literature, two polar beliefs regarding psychosomatics can be found. Some believe that many health problems are associated with mental problems, while the others are sure that no negative emotions can become the cause of physical disorders in the human body. Among psychosomatic disorders, cardiovascular diseases are the most common. Moreover, they suffer mainly from people who tend to constantly experience tension and negative emotions. In “optimistic” people, these disorders are much less common. The psychosomatic component is mainly spoken about in coronary heart disease, cardiac anxiety neurosis, essential hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias.