Diseases claimed:
(1) chest pain, often as unstable angina
(2) cardiac arrhythmias
(3) hypertensive crises
(4) electrocardiographic abnormalities
(5) biochemical abnormalities
Features that may be tip-offs to the diagnosis:
(1) The person complains of angina but the patient’s coronary arteries are normal.
(2) The patient is disappointed when told that he or she is not seriously ill.
(3) Abnormal laboratory results do not follow the typical pattern over time.
Features shared with other forms of Munchausen syndrome:
(1) The person’s history contains grandiose claims but these are not totally unbelievable.
(2) The person is manipulative.
(3) The patient leaves against medical advice.
(4) Family and friends may admit to the patient’s behavior.
Problems can arise if the patient:
(1) actually has cardiac disease.
(2) develops serious complications from various interventions.
