Mind and body are very closely connected. What happens to you mentally does disturb you physically, and what happens to you physically disturbs you mentally. Anxiety is a mental condition that is also known to have physical symptoms besides psychological ones. The most common physical symptoms of anxiety include a sense of impending doom or panic, sweating, heart palpitations, faster heart rate, trembling, shortness of breath, breathing very fast (hyperventilating), and feeling exhausted or weak. Chest pain is the most alarming physical symptom of anxiety.
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If you or your loved ones are suffering from anxiety and you often feel chest pain then there is a lot more you need to know about anxiety chest pain and other serious heart conditions that may feel the same? Keep on reading this piece of information to get your answers.
Anxiety symptoms may vary not only among anxiety patients, in fact, the same person with anxiety may also feel different symptoms on different days. The variety of ways in which anxiety presents its symptoms can make it difficult to detect and understand the symptoms correctly.
Now coming toward’s the chest pain caused by anxiety or stress it may also feel different to each person experiencing it. For instance, for some people the pain may be sudden and unexpected, Whereas, others may experience chest pain on a gradual basis.
Stress and anxiety chest pain symptoms in the chest area can feel like;
- Acute, stabbing discomfort.
- A chronic ache in your chest is a strange muscle twitch or spasm in your chest.
- A dull discomfort, a burning sensation, or numbness.
- A stab of pressure.
- Stiffness or strain in the chest.
According to 2018 research, an estimated 25 to 50 percent of patients who visit the emergency department with low-risk chest pain or chest pain not related to a heart attack are actually experiencing moderate to severe anxiety.
Anxiety can cause chest pain, but its quality and duration do not reliably distinguish it from a heart problem. Call the local emergency number for sudden chest pain that does not go away, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, or chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or faintness. New or recurring chest pain needs medical assessment.
Stress Vs Anxiety | Causes and Symptoms Difference
If you don’t have a history of anxiety chest pain you may feel alarmed because many people assume they’re having a heart attack. If you go to the emergency room at a hospital and the physicians can’t uncover a specific cause for your chest discomfort, talk to your doctor about other possibilities, such as stress and anxiety.
Although heart attack and chest pain in anxiety or panic attacks share a number of similarities, the two conditions result from very different disease processes. The following patterns can overlap and cannot safely be used to diagnose the cause or rule out a heart attack.
Difference Between Symptoms of A Heart Attack VS, Anxiety/Panic Attack
| Heart Attack Symptoms | Panic Attack Symptoms |
|---|---|
| 1. Chest tightness and a squeezing pain 2. Symptoms can begin during activity or at rest 3. Radiating pain in the arm, jaw, or shoulder blades 4. Symptoms may persist, worsen, or go away and return Breathing problems 5. Lightheadedness or faintness 6-Sweating 7. Vomiting and nausea | 1. A heart rate that is elevated or racing 2. Sudden onset, or onset during a period of high stress or worry 3. Pain may improve with time, but this does not establish the cause 4. Symptoms may ease, but timing cannot rule out a heart attack 5. Breathing problems 6. Sweating 7. Tingling sensations in the hands |
Other Differences In Heart Attack and Anxiety/Panic attack
Cause: Panic attacks occur when stress hormones trigger the body’s “fight or flight” response, often resulting in racing heart, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Whereas in heart attack a blockage in a coronary artery, might cause the same symptoms. When not enough blood reaches the heart muscle, it can cause chest pain, fast heartbeat, and dyspnea.
Circumstances: Both panic symptoms and heart attack symptoms can occur at rest or during activity. The circumstances alone cannot identify the cause of chest pain.
Duration: Panic symptoms often ease, but heart attack symptoms can also fluctuate or return. Do not wait for a particular duration or worsening pattern before seeking urgent help.
Anxiety/Panic attacks can be terrifying, and they can make you wonder if and when they will happen again, creating a vicious cycle. At Priory, we can assist you in learning skills to help you better control your panic attacks and lessen the likelihood of them occurring again. Following strategies can help you manage anxiety/panic attack symptoms;
- Remind yourself that this too shall pass: For a familiar panic episode that has been medically assessed, reassuring yourself and using an agreed coping plan may help. Do not label new, different or persistent chest pain as anxiety or use reassurance to delay medical care.
- Concentrate on controlling your breathing: by inhaling slowly and deeply for three seconds via your nose, holding for two seconds, then exhaling slowly and deeply for three seconds. You might find it easier to concentrate if you close your eyes. You can break the panic loop, relax your hyperventilation, and relieve your chest pain by focusing on your body and breathing.
- Refocus: once a anxiety attack begins to fade, begin to concentrate on your surroundings rather than the event. Consider everything you can see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. You might also wish to focus on a specific object and consider its shape, color, and size.
Other Preventive Measures
- Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine should all be consumed in moderation.
- Exercise on a regular basis to relieve stress and improve your mood.
- To keep your blood sugar levels consistent, eat healthful meals on a regular basis.
- Get a decent night’s sleep — aim for eight hours per night and keep to the same bedtime pattern throughout the week.
Identifying worry as the source of your chest pain is a good start toward resolving your problem. The presence of chest pain should not be overlooked. Chest pain with breathing difficulty requires immediate emergency assessment. If anxiety is confirmed to be the cause of your chest discomfort, you can work with a therapist or doctor to learn coping methods or find the best solution for you. A luxury rehab center can help.
