EduAsiaNews, Bogor – The sensation of fear and shock experienced when entering a haunted house attraction can trigger more than just screams. The body’s response to fear can also affect cardiac function.
IPB University Internal Medicine Specialist, dr. Christy Efiyanti, SpPD, explained that the body has a natural mechanism for responding to threats, known as the fight-or-flight response.
“When faced with a threat, the body responds with an increased heart rate, a faster pulse, and sweating,” dr. Christy explained. This response is a defense mechanism that prepares the body to confront or avoid situations perceived as dangerous.
She explained that under conditions of intense fear, the sympathetic nervous system becomes activated and triggers the release of hormones, including adrenaline. As a result, the heart beats faster to deliver oxygen throughout the body. At the same time, blood vessels may constrict, causing blood pressure to rise.
According to dr. Christy, the combination of an increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure can increase the workload of the heart. This is of particular concern for individuals with a history of heart disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, or cardiac arrhythmias.
“A drastic increase in the heart’s workload during situations that provoke extreme fear can potentially lead to a heart attack, although this is very rare,” she said.
An adrenaline surge can also have serious effects on people with heart disease, including weakening of the heart muscle, heart failure, and heart attacks. Therefore, individuals with a history of heart disease, hypertension, or recurrent fainting caused by cardiac arrhythmias are advised to avoid activities that involve intense fear-inducing stimuli.
If someone faints after experiencing extreme fear, dr. Christy recommends laying the person flat on their back. If there are no injuries and the person is still breathing, their legs may be elevated approximately 30 centimeters above the level of the heart. Tight clothing should also be loosened, and the person should not immediately stand up after regaining consciousness.
“If the person does not regain consciousness within one minute, immediately contact the local emergency services. Also check their breathing and pulse. If the person is not breathing, immediately perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until medical assistance arrives or the person resumes breathing,” dr. Christy explained.
Thus, although fatal incidents caused by fear at haunted house attractions are extremely rare, heart health should still be taken into consideration before participating in activities involving intense fear-inducing stimuli. (Lp)
