Studying mice modeling a human genetic disease that causes irregular heartbeats and can lead to sudden death, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have shown that emotional stress seems to promote symptoms of the disease and worsens its progression. The researchers say in their study, published Nov. 24, 2020, in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, that physicians and patients would be wise to focus together on good mental health—in addition to traditional exercise avoidance—to keep patients healthy and avoid triggering symptoms.