Some causes related to cardiovascular disease: Not usually due to cardiac disease, but anxiety can accompany any cardiac condition that causes a sudden drop in cardiac output (the amount of blood being pumped by the heart). These conditions can include cardiac ischemia, or cardiomyopathy. Anxiety is often attributed to mitral valve prolapse (MVP), but recent information suggests that MVP does not cause anxiety attacks.
Some causes related to other disorders: May be situational, due to generalized anxiety disorder, or panic attacks. Certain endocrine problems (such as thyroid disease) can also cause anxiety attacks. Significance: If due to a cardiac problem or other medical disorder (which is relatively rare) the underlying medical disorder must be identified and treated. The dysautonomias are associated with anxiety attacks. If due to panic attack or generalized anxiety disorder, effective therapy is available. Thus, any anxiety disorder that is not due to a situational problem or that is persistent should be brought to a doctor's attention.
