Anxiety chest pain can be a terrifying sensation and can be difficult to differentiate from other types of heart pain. That’s why it’s important to know how they differ.
If you are experiencing chest pain caused by anxiety, you are not alone. There are many ways to reduce chest pain caused by anxiety, from CBT and exercise to bypass surgery.
If your pain is persistent or persistently severe, you may need to consult a physician. Deep breathing exercises may help reduce anxiety-related chest pain.
What Does Anxiety Mean?
Anxiety is a normal reaction to a perceived or real threat, but when anxiety increases, it can cause physical symptoms. These symptoms include tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and palpitations.
They may also be accompanied by an intense emotional state. Knowing the signs and symptoms of anxiety can help you manage your symptoms and prevent anxiety attacks.
The Possible Causes of Chest Pain
- Heart attack.
- Coronary artery disease.
- Coronary artery dissection.
- Pericarditis.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Aortic dissection.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Mitral valve prolapse.
- Panic attacks.
There are a number of causes of chest pain. You should visit a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may order tests to determine the cause of the pain. The doctor may also prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug.
It is also important to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Your doctor may also recommend getting a chest X-ray. The X-ray may reveal the underlying cause of the pain.
In some cases, the pain could be caused by myocarditis, which can mimic heart attacks and produce symptoms like chest pain.
Panic attacks can cause chest pain
Chest pain caused by anxiety is a common symptom of panic attacks. The pain may be intense and sharp. It often occurs during attacks that come on suddenly.
It is often mistaken for a heart attack, but the pain is most likely caused by stiffness of muscles in the chest wall and nearby areas.
The pain is usually mid-chest. It may also occur in the left arm or jaw. The pain may be intermittent throughout the day or continuous.
The chest pain experienced during a panic attack can last five to thirty minutes and subside within ten minutes. If the pain persists, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Chest pain caused by anxiety attacks can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. According to the CDC, shortness of breath and chest tightness are symptoms of a heart attack. You may also feel dizzy and sweaty. You may even feel like you are going to die.
How to Relieve Chest Pain from Anxiety
Exercise reduces anxiety-related chest pain
There are a number of ways you can reduce the frequency of anxiety-related chest pain. One of the most effective ways is to increase your exercise routine.
However, be sure to check with a doctor first if you experience any discomfort during exercise. It may be a sign of another underlying medical condition. Your doctor can help you manage any pain and manage your anxiety.
Another effective method is to talk to a counselor. These professionals can help you overcome your anxiety and reduce the frequency of chest pain.
First, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety. The symptoms are usually discrete and do not last all day.
Most often, these symptoms occur when you’re not physically active. Anxiety causes an emotional response that triggers a “fight or flight” response and changes your breathing patterns.
Another way to reduce anxiety-related chest pain is to make some lifestyle changes. For instance, getting enough exercise can decrease muscle tension and release brain chemicals such as serotonin. Moreover, a healthy diet can also help you reduce the pain.
CBT reduces anxiety-related chest pain
A new study is examining the effect of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) on anxiety-related chest pain. The study involves a two-arm randomized controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) compared with standard care.
Both treatments aim to decrease the patient’s anxiety about their health and improve their general well-being. The treatment may involve a combination of cognitive strategies and a healthy lifestyle.
One of the most common symptoms of anxiety is chest pain. The increased blood pressure causes an increase in the demand for oxygen in the heart and places a strain on smaller blood vessels.
Anxiety chest pain is usually mild and usually lasts only for 10 minutes, but if the chest pain persists or worsens, it is important to seek medical help.
Although this pain is only temporary, it can be a symptom of other anxiety-related symptoms and should be treated accordingly.
The symptoms of anxiety-related chest pain tend to begin with a flush in the chest. This is often uncomfortable and can even be mistaken for a heart attack. However, unlike heart attack pain, the pain of anxiety-related chest pain will gradually subside with time.
Angioplasty and bypass surgery can treat anxiety-related chest pain
People suffering from anxiety-related chest pain often experience shortness of breath and intense pain. The pain is often triggered by coughing, deep breathing, or other physical activities.
The pain may be reproduced with the tip of a finger or by pressing on the chest wall or arms. The pain may last for seconds or hours. It may also radiate down the arm and leg.
Angioplasty is an elective procedure performed on patients who have blocked arteries. Depending on the severity of the blockage, doctors may also choose to perform coronary artery bypass surgery.
The timing of the procedure depends on factors such as age, heart failure, diabetes, and other conditions.
Angioplasty is an effective treatment for many people with blocked arteries. But not all hospitals are equipped to perform percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
During this procedure, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into the blocked vessel. Once inside, the catheter expands and pushes against the wall of the artery to keep it open.
While both procedures are effective, angioplasty can cause complications. While most complications occur within the first few days after surgery, some may occur as late as one year after the procedure.
The best results of the surgery are seen when the procedure is performed in a hospital setting with experienced teams of surgeons.
In addition, women are more likely to die after the surgery than men. Other serious complications include stent thrombosis, which can occur during angioplasty or afterward. This can lead to repeat angioplasty and can be dangerous.
What Do Anxiety Chest Pains Feel Like?
Anxiety chest pains are different from regular chest pains, and some people experience them while they’re at rest. Unlike regular chest pain, anxiety chest pain is often more intense and sudden. It is also different from the pain caused by a heart attack.
When to See a Doctor for Anxiety-Related Chest Pain?
If chest pain suddenly appears, especially if anti-inflammatory medications are not helping, you should consult your doctor.
A person experiencing chest pain should not ignore it as it can be life-threatening. An individual should seek emergency medical attention if they have the following.
- Pain that spreads to the arms, back, neck, or jaw.
- Tightness or heaviness in the chest.
- Pain that starts with nausea, vomiting, sweating.
- Difficulty breathing or changes in breathing rate.
- Blue lips or nail beds.
- Severe pain that lasts longer than 15 minutes.
- Confusion.
Takeaway
Chest pain is a common symptom of anxiety. If you feel pain in your chest during or after a bout of anxiety, you should seek medical attention.
If the pain is severe or persistent, you should call 911. Do not attempt to drive to the hospital or attempt to stop the pain on your own.
An emergency physician will be able to evaluate your condition and determine if you are experiencing a heart attack. In addition to the pain felt in the chest, anxiety may also cause shortness of breath and other physiological changes.
