My mother-in-law is always going on about her alleged heart trouble. In fact, whenever I won't obey her instructions, she says I've "upset her ticker".

But recently, I found out the doctors say there's nothing at all wrong with her heart.

How is this possible? And could I have harmed her ticker by disobeying her?

A lot of rather nervy people become convinced they must have heart trouble. In moments of stress, they experience symptoms such as a fast heartbeat or thumping in the chest. This is because the action of the heart is very much under the control of the mind. It's impossible your refusal to "obey her instructions" could harm your mum-in-law's heart, so don't worry.