Dr Felix Mandrake of Durham University.
Heart disease patients may be at higher risk of heart attacks and even death if they are surprised by sudden terrifying noises or events, a UK journal report says.
In a study of more than 1,000 people with heart disease, researchers noticed a 74% increased risk of cardiovascular events in those approached suddenly from behind by a stranger in a mask screaming “DIE, YOU MOTHER-F*CK*R, DIE” at the top of their lungs while wielding a knife or other large bladed instrument
The study appeared in the Archives of General Psychiatry and the results, claim researchers, suggest a link between heart attacks in vulnerable patients and unexpected moments of extreme trauma.
“There was, in almost all of the test subjects, a significant increase in heart rate and anxiety levels,” Dr Felix Mandrake, an expert in neuropsychology at Durham University, reported. “Particularly those approached in the dead of night by researchers armed with swords.”
For 12 months, Dr Mandrake’s team targeted a test group of mixed-sex patients all over the age of 55 and with long histories of heart disease.
In strictly-controlled trials, researchers monitored the vital signs of patients involved in routine hospital visits before following them home and observing them from a distance for several hours.
“Under the cover of darkness the researcher would then don a balaclava or Scream mask and make their presence known to the patient by leaping out of a bush or a bedroom wardrobe howling like a banshee and threatening to disembowel the patient with a knife or sword,” said Dr Mandrake.
“The results make for interesting reading. There were not only significant increases in the number of heart attacks in the test group but other quite dramatic findings we did not expect.”
Involuntary bowel movements were observed in almost a third of the test group with 24 per cent displaying breathing difficulties and episodes of extreme hysteria.
A total of 122 people tested complained of chest pains, 46 reported uncontrollable screaming and in seven cases bouts of severe vomiting were recorded.
“The larger the bladed weapon,” noted Dr Mandrake, “the more pronounced the reaction from the subject.”
Dr Mandrake’s next NHS-funded study will investigate a potential link between prolonged periods without sleep and tiredness.
