Highlights
- Chest pain is a common symptom of anxiety and panic attacks.
- Anxiety-induced chest pain is difficult to tell apart from heart disease-related pain because the associated symptoms of both are similar.
- An intense emotional upset is potentially a trigger for both a panic attack and a heart attack.
- Anyone who experiences sudden chest pain or discomfort should seek medical advice immediately. Anxiety chest pain can only be diagnosed after ruling out other causes.
Experiencing any chest pain is worrying. Often, your first thought is of a heart attack or other cardiac event. So, it’s normal for chest pain to cause anxiety. But is the opposite true, does anxiety cause chest pain? The answer is yes.
The American College of Cardiology recognizes anxiety, depression, and panic disorder as causes of chest pain. They also reported that between 1 and 5 per 100 ER visits for chest pain in adults under 70 years old had a mental health trigger.
This article will teach you how anxiety causes chest pain, its symptoms, and explore self-help and treatment options for anxiety chest pain.
But first, the most important lesson to learn is this: if you experience chest pain that comes on suddenly or is new, call 9-1-1 or visit the ER.
“Patients with acute chest pain or chest pain equivalent symptoms should seek medical care immediately by calling 9-1-1. Although most patients will not have a cardiac cause, the evaluation of all patients should focus on the early identification or exclusion of life-threatening causes.” 2021 Guideline for Chest Pain
How Common Is Anxiety-Related Chest Pain?
Let’s look at how many people with mental health conditions report feeling pain in their chest.
Firstly, the prevalence of anxiety-associated chest pain, unrelated to heart issues, is higher than previously thought:
How Does Anxiety Cause Chest Pain?
There are a few ideas on how anxiety causes chest pain, including that people with mental health conditions tend to:
- Have lower pain thresholds
- Be hyperaware of their bodily sensations
A third theory is that anxiety chest pain is related to the nervous system’s reaction to worry and stress. When your brain thinks you’re in danger, whether it’s real or not,
- Increased heart rate. The high heart rate means the heart is working harder and needs more oxygen; if it doesn’t get enough, you may feel pain.
- Increased blood pressure. High blood pressure is a known risk factor for heart disease and blood vessel damage.
- Muscle tension. The body prepares to escape danger by tensing its muscles; tense chest muscles might cause pain.
- Hyperventilation. This panicky ‘overbreathing’ drops carbon dioxide levels, causing blood vessels in the heart to narrow and oxygen supply to drop, which might result in chest pain.
How Do You Tell If Anxiety Is Causing Chest Pain?
Deciding for yourself whether chest pain is due to anxiety can be tricky, so only a healthcare provider can determine it. Here’s why.
1: What Does Chest Pain From Anxiety Feel Like?
Anxiety chest pain feels different for everyone; people may describe it as:
- Heavy weight on the chest or chest pressure
- Squeezing sensation or chest tightness
- Stabbing, or sharp pain
- Vague chest discomfort
This means that it can mimic many other causes of chest pain.
2: Where Is Anxiety Chest Pain Located?
Many people believe that dangerous chest pain only occurs on the left, but having right-sided chest pain doesn’t mean it’s not life-threatening; heart attacks and blood clots can present on the right.
Anxiety pain can also present in any chest area, making a diagnosis based on location difficult.
3: What Are the Other Anxiety Attack Physical Symptoms?
Chest pain is only one
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- Numb or tingling sensations
- Sweating or changes in body temperature
- Trembling or shaking
- Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
Unfortunately, these physical sensations aren’t specific to anxiety, but are also classic heart-related symptoms.
Anxiety Chest Pain vs. Heart Attack Chest Pain
So, anxiety-related chest pain and heart attack pain present very similarly and are difficult to tell apart without medical assessment.
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Chest pain due to anxiety or panic |
Chest pain due to heart disease |
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Trigger |
Pain is related to emotions
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Physical exertion is a classic warning sign
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Chest pain that comes and goes can be anxiety- or cardiac event-related |
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Defining emotional symptom |
A sudden spike of intense fear that peaks within minutes |
一 |
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Timeline |
Usually over quickly, between 10 and 30 minutes |
Duration varies
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What shortens the episode |
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Sometimes, resting temporarily eases the pain, but emergency medical treatment is still needed |
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you experience chest pain that comes on suddenly or is new, seek medical attention immediately: call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency room.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any key differences for you to safely decide that you’re not having a heart attack. Chest pain due to anxiety can only be diagnosed when your doctor is sure there are no life-threatening causes.
How to Relieve Chest Tightness from Anxiety
Once life-threatening causes are ruled out and your healthcare provider has confirmed your chest discomfort is emotional, here are some coping strategies to manage anxiety.
Practice Deep Breathing
Deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises help slow your breathing and heart rate,
Try Relaxation Exercises
Progressive muscle relaxation is another effective way to stop the stress response. Starting at your feet, focus on the muscle groups and consciously relax them. Slowly move up the body until you reach your head.
Get Regular Exercise
Physical activity
Get Sufficient Sleep
Without enough sleep, it’s
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily
- Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool
- Put your screens away at least 30 minutes before bedtime
- No caffeine after midday
- Eat large meals at lunchtime
- Avoid alcohol in the evening
Limit Use of Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol
These substances may have a temporary relaxing effect, but
In Conclusion
If you’ve been diagnosed with, or suspect you have an anxiety disorder, getting the correct treatment is essential to lower the risk of panic attacks and distressing symptoms, such as chest pain.
MEDvidi’s licensed medical professionals are here to listen and create your personalized plan for anxiety treatment online, which might include anti-anxiety medications, if appropriate. Schedule your online appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chest pain be caused by stress?
Yes, chest pain can be caused by stress. When you are stressed, anxious, or panicked, your body releases fight-or-flight hormones. This increases blood pressure and heart rate and causes chest muscle tension, which can lead to chest discomfort or pain.
Can anxiety cause chest pain every day?
Anxiety might cause chest pain every day in some individuals with ongoing stress or trauma. However, never assume anxiety is the trigger; always consult with a medical provider — anxiety chest pain can only be diagnosed after ruling out life-threatening causes, for example, heart disease. Any chest pain, anxiety-related or not, happening every day or lasting for days, needs immediate medical attention.
Why won't my anxiety-related chest pain go away?
Your anxiety-related chest pain might not be settling because of chronic stress, unresolved emotional issues, or recurrent anxiety triggers. However, remember that chest pain also has life-threatening causes, such as heart disease, so always consult a doctor; never assume a diagnosis.
Can anxiety cause sharp chest pain?
Yes, anxiety can cause sharp or stabbing chest pain, but everyone describes their anxiety chest pain differently; it might also feel like heaviness, pressure, discomfort, a squeeze, or tightness.
