Chest pain and anxiety disorder.

Chest pain is a common clinical expression of coronary artery disease. Less well known is that chest pain is far more frequently a somatic expression of inner stress. This study reports on data gathered from all patients with completely normal angiograms studied in the Catheterization Laboratory of The Methodist Hospital in the years 1984 and 1985. Questionnaires were sent to 570 patients, and there were 371 replies. Of those who replied, 26% qualified for a diagnosis of "generalized anxiety disorder" only, while an additional 43% qualified for a diagnosis of "panic attacks" or "panic disorder." Stress was frequently diagnosed, but seldom treated. This article includes suggestions about identification of these disorders and their treatment.