Can stress cause chest pain? Being stressed about something is expected, as it frequently occurs in most people.
Frequent anxiety affects a portion of the population. Several physical reactions to a stressor are possible, with symptoms ranging from unease to acute pain. Some of these symptoms have been mistaken for something else.
For instance, chest pain can be an indication of acute stress and anxiety. Because of a possible connection to heart conditions and other heart attacks, chest pain is a significant concern because it may be a symptom of a panic attack or a heightened reaction to a stressful situation.
If you frequently experience stress daily, understanding your chest pain will help you discover relief from your symptoms and recognize when to seek medical attention.
It’s normal for people to have unique signs of stress and anxiety. Different people have different symptoms on different days.
The type of chest pain a person experiences as a result of stress differs from person to person. Regularly, some individuals could experience chest pain. In others, the pain can arrive without warning.
Those experiencing chest pain due to stress often describe intense, piercing pain and deep, aching pains.
People who experience acute chest pain often think they are having a heart attack and go straight to the emergency department.
If your doctor cannot discover why you have chest discomfort, talk to them more about it; this will help you know other reasons you should consider.
It’s not a great idea to just sit and wait if you’re in pain because it can be dangerous to your health. Even if the pain results from stress or anxiety, it’s better to be safe and know so that you don’t risk missing a critical opportunity to get treatment for a heart attack.
Heart attack victims often describe chest pain in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:
- Severe pain that radiates up to your jaw or down your arms
- Along with discomfort, you might have nausea and pressure inthe thorax, like you have something heavy sitting on your chest, and your heart rate will increase.
- Feeling breathless
- Feeling of tightness in the chest
According to a 2020 study, roughly 30% of people who have a heart attack do not experience chest pain. Heart attack symptoms may include things like pain in the back and tiredness.
Doctors realize there is a link between chest pain and anxiety, but it is still vital to seek treatment even if you’re feeling stressed.
If you’re having chest pain, you need to call the local emergency services. Attempting to drive yourself to the hospital could be hazardous. People in the emergency services can check up on you and ascertain whether you’re having a heart attack or have another reason for the discomfort.
When you’re anxious, your body may react by perspiring or having difficulty breathing.
An immediate stress response occurs when you’re anxious, and your brain and body have a hand in that. This change is physical. You might feel stiff.
In addition to a physical reaction, a stress response can include an emotional or psychological response. You could get more aggressive or irritated. The fight-or-flight response is how we refer to this. When you are anxious or stressed, your body gets ready to fight or flee the so-called ‘fight or flight’ reaction.
Your body recovers in just 30 minutes after a fight-or-flight reaction unless it happens infrequently. If you regularly suffer from it, your body can’t recover. This can result in increased muscle tension, which can cause chest discomfort.
Everyone knows that if you have chest pain, you should see a doctor. Seek medical attention if you have these symptoms because you may have a heart condition. If you are diagnosed with chest pain connected to anxiety, you can get help from a doctor or therapist, who can help you learn coping techniques or advise you on your treatment options.
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Can stress cause chest pain? Types of chest pain
There are different types of chest pain that are of stress and non-stress origins. Some of these types are described below.
Stabbing chest pain
One of the sources of stabbing chest pain is pericarditis, an irritation and swelling “inflammation” of the sac that surrounds the heart. Viral infection and heart attack cause pericarditis.
Pulmonary embolism or “PE” is another source of stabbing chest pain. PE occurs when a sudden blockage is usually caused by a blood clot of an artery in the lung. The pain gets worse when one takes a deep breath. PE can be complicated by high blood pressure. PE is a medical emergency.
Tight chest pain
Angina patients often describe tight chest pain. Angina is a condition that occurs when there is insufficient oxygen in the blood flowing to part of your heart. Narrowed coronary arteries cause angina. The pain in angina can be accompanied by shortness of breath, numbness in the neck region, and irregular heartbeat.
Extreme anxiety and high stress levels can lead to tight chest pain due to tightening the chest and rib cage muscles. Anxiety can also lead to stomach and intestinal discomfort that cause tight chest pain. This type of pain is referred to as anxiety chest pain. Anxiety chest pain can become severe very quickly.
Constant chest pain
Chest pain that occurs daily or near-daily may signify acid reflux, anxiety disorder, anxiety attacks, or asthma and related conditions. However, it is also possible that chest pain is a symptom of a fatal disease. If you think you are having a heart attack or another heart disease, get help immediately.
Mild chest pain
Mild chest pain comes and goes frequently and may appear over a few days or so. It’s uncertain whether the cause is in the cardiovascular system, heart muscle, digestive system, or mind. Mild chest discomfort could be caused by something like indigestion. Alternatively, these problems may be severe and hint at a heart attack or a coronary heart disease.
Sharp chest pain
A variety of factors could cause sharp, intense pain that quickly subsides.
Acute, intense chest discomfort occurs for a brief period. According to some, it feels like an electric shock or a stabbing pain. It is only present for a fraction of a second before vanishing.
The following are some of the most often occurring reasons for this type of acute chest pain.
Acid reflux, or heartburn, is sometimes referred to as indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This occurs when stomach acid spills upward from the stomach, causing severe discomfort or burning sensation in the chest.
Precordial catch syndrome (PCS) is a mild illness that primarily affects children and adolescents. It is believed that a pinched nerve or muscle spasm in the chest aggravates it, resulting in severe discomfort.
Muscle or bone disorders can result in an instantaneous, acute chest ache. Ribs can be injured or bruised, as well as the muscles that link them. Sprained chest wall muscles are another probable source of intense chest pain.
Chest pain can occur suddenly and sharply as a result of lung and breathing difficulties.
Certain lung disorders can be lethal. If you encounter any of these common symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Anxiety attacks and panic attacks can result in stabbing, intense chest pain. This mental health problem might present without apparent cause. Specific individuals may experience a panic attack following a stressful or emotional incident.
