Heart rate measurement

Suddenly, your heart starts beating faster. Your pulse quickens, your breathing changes and sometimes you feel a tightness in your chest. Many people are familiar with such situations – for example, when they are very excited, under stress or after a fright.


Particularly if these symptoms recur, you may wonder: is there something wrong with my heart? Stress is not just a feeling. The body reacts to it in exactly the same way. The cardiovascular system is activated and the body prepares itself for increased physical exertion. It is no coincidence that there are expressions such as ‘my heart stops’ or ‘my heart is in my throat’. They describe physical reactions that can actually occur. But what exactly happens in the body? And why does stress sometimes feel like a heart problem? Read on to find out how psychological strain affects the heart and when it is advisable to seek medical advice.