ABSTRACT
Emotional stress has long been associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and sudden cardiac death; however, the evidence for a causal link has been uncertain. Advances over the last two decades in understanding the mechanism of onset and treatment of acute cardiovascular disease (CVD) have coincided with increased acceptance of the role of psychological factors, both acute and chronic, in the onset of MI, sudden cardiac death, and stroke. The purpose of this chapter is to review the evidence for triggering of plaque rupture and acute CVD by psychological triggers.
