Anxiety Chest Pain, Causes, and Treatment in Spokane Valley

By We Level Up WA | Author Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA | Editorial Policy | Research Policy

Chest pain can feel scary. Many people think chest pain always means a heart problem. This is not always true. Anxiety can also cause chest pain. Learning about anxiety chest pain causes can help people feel less afraid and know when to get help.

This article explains anxiety-related chest pain in very simple language. You will learn why it happens, what it feels like, and how it is different from heart pain. You will also learn ways to calm anxiety and when to seek care.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the body’s response to stress or fear. It prepares the body to react to danger. This response is sometimes called the “fight or flight” response.

When anxiety happens too often or too strongly, it can cause physical symptoms. These symptoms can feel very real and uncomfortable. Chest pain is one of them.

What Does Anxiety Chest Pain Feel Like?

Anxiety chest pain can feel different for each person. Some feel a sharp pain. Others feel tightness, pressure, or burning.

The pain may come and go. It may last a few minutes or longer. Many people notice it during stress or panic.

Anxiety Induced Chest Pain Explained

When anxiety affects the body, anxiety induced chest pain occurs. Getting anxious makes muscles tighten up. Changing how you breathe is also affected.

When breathing quickly or shallowly, the chest muscles can strain. Stiff muscles can hurt. Chest pain or a feeling of heaviness can occur because of these changes.

How Anxiety Causes Chest Pain

The fight-or-flight response, an old survival mechanism meant to keep you safe, is brought on by anxiety. This triggers a series of changes in your body that directly affect your chest and the surrounding areas.

First, your body releases stress chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline. They make your heart beat harder and faster, which gets more blood to your muscles. Your chest may feel like it’s pounding or fluttering when your heart beats too fast. Some people might think this feeling is pain or soreness.

Another big cause of chest pain connected to anxiety is muscle tightness. When you’re stressed, the muscles in your chest wall and between your ribs tighten up on their own. When anxiety lasts for a long time, this tension can last for hours or even days, causing discomfort, aching, or severe pain in the chest area.

The quick, shallow breathing that frequently goes along with anxiety, known as hyperventilation, is also important. When you breathe too quickly, you exhale too much carbon dioxide, which alters the chemistry of your blood and can make you feel tightness in your chest, numbness, or tingling. During times of anxiety, many people unknowingly hyperventilate.

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Why Anxiety Causes Chest Discomfort

Why anxiety causes chest discomfort is a question that is frequently asked. The reason has to do with the brain and nerves.

The body releases stress hormones when anxiety sets in. Heart rate and muscle strain increase when these hormones are released. The flow of blood may also change.

Even if the heart is healthy, these changes may cause chest discomfort.

Panic Attack Chest Pain

A panic attack is a sudden surge of fear. During a panic attack, chest pain is common.

Panic attack chest pain may feel intense. It can include tightness, pressure, or stabbing pain. This pain can feel very real and frightening.

Many panic attacks also include shortness of breath, dizziness, and sweating.

Differentiating Anxiety vs Heart Pain

Understanding differentiating anxiety vs heart pain is very important. Both can feel similar, but there are differences.

Anxiety chest pain often changes with breathing or movement. It may improve when you calm down. Heart pain often feels like heavy pressure and may spread to the arm or jaw.

Only a medical professional can confirm the cause. Chest pain should always be checked if you are unsure.

When Chest Pain Happens During Anxiety

Chest pain from anxiety often appears during stressful moments. It may also happen after a panic attack.

Some people feel chest pain even when they are not aware of anxiety. The body can react before the mind does.

Physical Symptoms Linked to Anxiety

Anxiety affects the whole body. Chest pain is just one symptom.

Other symptoms may include:

• Fast heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle tension
• Dizziness
• Sweating

These symptoms can make anxiety feel worse.

How Long Does Anxiety Chest Pain Last?

Heart pain from stress can last for minutes or hours. As anxiety goes down, it often goes away.

Some people feel a little sore after their anxiety goes away. This can happen if your muscles are tense or if you breathe deeply.

How to Calm Anxiety Chest Pain

Learning how to calm down can help lower chest pain.

It helps to breathe slowly. Take a few deep breaths to relax your chest muscles. It might also help to sit or lie down.

Techniques for grounding can help calm the nervous system. Fear and physical stress go away when you do these things.

Breathing Techniques for Chest Discomfort

Breathing slowly helps the body relax.

A simple method:

• Breathe in through your nose.
• Hold for a few seconds.
• Breathe out slowly through your mouth.

Repeat until the chest feels less tight.

Anxiety Coping Skills for Chest Pain

Coping skills help prevent chest pain from returning.

Helpful skills include:

• Stress management
• Regular movement
• Good sleep habits
• Limiting caffeine

These habits help the body feel safer.

When to Seek Medical Help

It’s important to always pay attention to chest pain. If your chest pain is serious, sudden, or new, you should call 911 right away.

If the pain moves to your arm, neck, or back, you need to see a doctor. Feeling pain in your chest might not just be anxiety.

Anxiety Treatment and Chest Pain Relief

Over time, treating anxiety can help ease chest pain.

Therapy helps people deal with worry and fear. Medicines might help some people. Fear goes down when you learn more.

Professional care makes you safer and more comfortable.

Why Choose We Level Up WA for Anxiety Chest Pain Causes

Understanding anxiety chest pain causes can be hard without support. We Level Up Washington provides caring mental health care for anxiety and panic.

At We Level Up Washington, individuals receive:

• Anxiety assessments
• Therapy for panic and stress
• Coping skills training
• Education on anxiety symptoms
• Long-term mental wellness planning

Care focuses on safety, clarity, and recovery.

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FAQs About Anxiety Chest Pain Causes

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Conclusion

Chest pain caused by anxiety can feel frightening, but help is available. You do not have to manage this alone. We Level Up Washington provides compassionate care for anxiety, panic attacks, and stress-related symptoms.

Our knowledgeable staff helps clients figure out what causes anxiety and chest pain and how to safely calm their bodies and minds. Fear and pain can be better managed with the appropriate help.

Call (509) 348-4077 right now to talk to a caring admissions specialist and take the next step toward feeling better, more confident, and emotionally healthy.

Further Readings

1. Medical News Today: Chest Pain and Anxiety
2. Cleveland Clinic: Anxiety and Chest Pain
3. Help Guide: Can Anxiety Cause Chest Pains?
4. NIH: Panic Disorder and Chest Pain