Can Anxiety Cause Chest Pains And When To See A Doctor

Anxiety is an emotion in which a person worries about something that hasn’t happened yet. It’s perfectly normal to worry about things, such as how well a work presentation or a date will go. But anxiety is meant to be fleeting. People feel it for a while, but it eventually goes away on its own. 

For some people, anxiety is not fleeting. It can be constant, so much so that they can have panic attacks over nothing, and it can even negatively impact their career, relationships, and outlook on life.

In some cases, a person’s anxiety symptoms can get so bad that they may even develop physical symptoms and experience chest pains.

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Why Does Anxiety Cause Chest Pains?

When a person is anxious, it may trigger a surge of adrenaline and cortisol throughout the body. These can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Rapid breathing and muscle tension, including in the chest, can also occur.

Furthermore, when people experience chronic anxiety, they may become more aware of their physical sensations. In some cases, chronic anxiety can also trigger a panic attack, which can sometimes feel like a heart attack.

People who have anxiety can also have shortness of breath. This can cause tightness, dizziness, and chest pain.

What Does Chest Pain from Anxiety Feel Like?

Anxiety-related chest pain may feel like a sharp, stabbing sensation. While a person can feel anxious beforehand, these pains can feel like they come from nowhere.

These chest pains can be part of a panic attack. They can be accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, faintness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, numbness and sweating in the feet and hands, changes in body temperature, and a sense of losing control.

What Is A Panic Disorder?

A panic disorder is a kind of anxiety disorder that is characterised by frequent and recurring panic attacks. People who have panic attacks can become afflicted with a sudden and overwhelming fear.

It should be noted that they are not always indicative of a panic disorder. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack has a panic disorder. Sometimes, these attacks just happen, especially to someone who already has an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, a panic attack is an acute instance and not part of a chronic condition.

The Difference Between A Heart Attack And Anxiety-Induced Chest Pain

A heart attack, also known as cardiac arrest, is a major coronary event that can be life-threatening. While anxiety and chest pain can sometimes feel like a heart attack to people who wouldn’t have experience with one, there are major differences.

As previously mentioned, chest pains from anxiety are stabbing pain; the chest pains that come with a heart attack have often been described as a squeeze or pressure.

Chest pains due to anxiety also generally subside after a few minutes. Chest pain from a heart attack, in contrast, does not go away on its own. It can change how intense it feels, but it is consistent in its presence.

Common Symptoms Of Anxiety Chest Pains

Aside from the way it feels, several symptoms may indicate that anxiety is the cause of chest pain and not a heart attack. Some of these ways to determine if it’s anxiety-related pain include:

Tightness

The tightness that comes from chest pains caused by anxiety can vary from mild to intense.

Persistence

The chest pains may be persistent, unlike those caused by heartburn.

Numbness

Some people with this kind of chest pain may experience numbness in their chest, similar to how a leg feels when it ‘falls asleep.’

Should Anxiety Chest Pain Be Evaluated?

Yes, chest pains should be evaluated. While anxiety may be the cause, it’s important to determine the exact cause of any cardiac event. While the cause could be anxiety, chest pains could also be caused by a serious medical problem like a blocked coronary artery. They should be thoroughly evaluated to determine the best course of treatment.

What Treatment Is Needed For Patients With Chest Pain From Anxiety?

The best way to reduce chest pains due to anxiety is to treat the underlying anxiety disorder. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to treat anxiety. Some of the ways that anxiety and its related chest pains can be treated include:

Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for anxiety. It can help people change the thought patterns that can contribute to anxiety. This helps them manage the symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders.

Medication

Beta-blockers may help in reducing some of the physical symptoms of anxiety that may contribute to chest pains, such as a racing heart and high blood pressure. Benzodiazepines and selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) can also help with panic attacks and related chest pains.

Are There Ways That I Can Relieve The Pain Caused By Anxiety?

There are always ways to relieve or minimize chest pains without the use of therapy or medication. Some of these ways include:

Deep Breathing

Taking slow, steady breaths can help reduce the intensity of anxiety symptoms. They’ve even been known to stop some panic or anxiety attacks right in their tracks.

Meditation

Meditation can help people calm themselves down. By being able to remain calm, a person can diminish the intensity of their anxiety-related symptoms, such as chest pains.

Regular Exercise

Getting regular exercise can be an excellent way to regulate mood and keep anxiety symptoms in check. As such, regular exercise can reduce the frequency and intensity of anxiety chest pains.

Good Sleep

Poor sleep can increase the severity of some mental health disorders, such as anxiety. Most people should get around 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.

Limit Some Intake

Certain substances can worsen anxiety. Alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes can also worsen mental disorders. Their intake should be limited, if not omitted entirely,

Find Support For Anxiety Disorder

People who live with anxiety find that it can affect them in several ways. Sometimes, this translates to physical pain, which can make them feel as if they’re having a major health scare, which can worsen their anxious feelings.

Sivana Bali can help people manage these anxious feelings and reduce the physical symptoms associated with them so that those who struggle with them can live their lives on their own terms. Contact us now to learn more.