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Chest pain is often associated with heart issues, but did you know that anxiety can also be a major culprit? Anxiety-induced chest pain can be frightening and have similar symptoms to more serious conditions like heart attacks. However, understanding the connection between anxiety and chest pain can help differentiate between the two. Hence here we have listed how anxiety can cause chest pain, the signs to watch out for, and strategies to manage.
How Anxiety Causes Chest Pain?
Anxiety triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, causing a surge of adrenaline and stress hormones like cortisol. This response can lead to physical symptoms, including rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, and muscle tension, which can manifest as chest pain. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, up to 30 per cent of patients presenting with non-cardiac chest pain suffer from panic disorder or anxiety-related conditions.
The chest pain experienced during anxiety episodes is usually non-cardiac and results from muscle tension, hyperventilation, or oesophagal spasms. However, the sensation can be so intense that it often leads individuals to seek emergency care, fearing a heart attack.
Understanding the specific signs of anxiety-related chest pain can help distinguish it from other serious conditions.
5 Signs of Anxiety-Related Chest Pain
1. Pain That Occurs During Periods of Stress or Anxiety
One of the most telling signs that chest pain is anxiety-related is its timing. It often occurs during moments of intense stress, panic attacks, or high anxiety. This pain may come on suddenly during a stressful event or gradually build as anxiety levels rise. Unlike cardiac chest pain, which may occur during physical exertion, anxiety-induced chest pain typically arises during emotional or psychological stress.
2. Sharp, Stabbing, or Burning Sensation
Anxiety-related chest pain is often described as a sharp, stabbing, or burning sensation rather than the dull, pressure-like pain commonly associated with heart conditions. A study in the American Journal of Cardiology found that anxiety-induced chest pain typically differs in quality and location from heart-related chest pain, making it crucial for accurate diagnosis.
3. Pain That Changes with Breathing or Movement
If your chest pain intensifies with deep breathing, twisting, or pressing on the chest, it’s more likely to be musculoskeletal and anxiety-related. This pain results from hyperventilation or muscle tension, common during anxiety episodes. Cardiac pain, on the other hand, is usually constant and unaffected by breathing or movement.
4. Short Duration with No Other Heart Symptoms
Anxiety-related chest pain often lasts a few minutes to a few hours and usually dissipates once the anxiety subsides. In contrast, cardiac pain is often persistent and accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, or dizziness. A review published in Circulation emphasized that anxiety-related chest pain lacks the hallmark symptoms of heart conditions, such as radiating pain to the arm or jaw.
5. Accompanied by Other Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety chest pain is rarely a standalone symptom. It often comes with other anxiety-related symptoms, such as palpitations, trembling, dizziness, or a sense of impending doom. The presence of these accompanying symptoms can help differentiate anxiety chest pain from cardiac chest pain. A study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research highlighted that nearly 80 per cent of anxiety patients with chest pain reported multiple anxiety symptoms during their episodes.
How To Manage Chest Pain from Anxiety
While anxiety-induced chest pain is typically harmless, it’s important not to ignore it. Chronic anxiety can increase the risk of heart disease over time, according to research from Harvard Health Publishing. Here are some strategies to manage anxiety-related chest pain:
– Practice Deep Breathing: Slow, deep breaths can reduce hyperventilation and muscle tension, easing chest pain.
– Engage in Relaxation Techniques: Activities like meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce overall anxiety levels.
– Seek Professional Help: If anxiety frequently leads to chest pain, consult a mental health professional for guidance and treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
When to Seek Emergency Care
It’s crucial to remember that chest pain should never be ignored, especially if it’s new, severe, or accompanied by symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, or radiating pain. If there’s any doubt about the cause, seek immediate medical attention to rule out cardiac issues.