Strong emotions can have consequences on our body and our heart. But is it possible to die of fear? Answer with doctor Dr Sophie Lemonier.
Watching a horror movie, waking up after a nightmare or when someone surprises us, who has never felt their heart race because of a great fright? This reaction of the body is normal, but can we die from it? The doctor Dr Sophie Lemonier answers us.
Heart attack, stroke: it is possible to die of fear
What consequences can a great fear have for the body?
Imminent end of the world, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, or quite simply great fear can cause heart attacks or strokes. A recognized relationship since an American was even declared guilty of manslaughter, for having killed an honorable 79-year-old lady out of fear: the man, hidden, had arisen in front of her causing a sudden cardiac arrest.
Concretely, what happens physiologically when we are afraid?
Faced with an unexpected situation triggering fear, the heart rate accelerates, blood pressure increases, digestion slows down or even stops and blood sugar levels rise. All these reactions are managed by the brain which controls the secretion of adrenaline, the stress hormone.
Great fear: “The body starts to produce too much adrenaline which becomes toxic”
But why do some people sometimes die from it?
The reaction may be too strong and get carried away. The body begins to produce too much adrenaline which becomes toxic when it is present in too large quantities. The heart is then flooded, causing violent contractions that can lead to myocardial infarction, or worse, cardiac arrest. Suddenly scared to death, but also of joy, as we see during sporting events where strong jubilation rubs shoulders with deep disappointment. And heart attacks are not uncommon among great aficionados, hence the very frequent presence of the Samu near the stadiums.
Are we more or less at risk of dying of fear?
Not necessarily. Each individual reacts differently to stress depending on different elements such as personality, genetics, but also lifestyle: tobacco, high blood pressure and diabetes are factors that can aggravate reactions to stress. Sex too: women are more sensitive to stress.
But it should also be known that these reactions of the body in the face of stress initially constitute a protection which allowed Cro-Magnon man to take to his heels and flee when he found himself in a dangerous situation. …
