Why anxiety causes chest pain?

Anxiety and panic attacks can be scary because of the physical symptoms that often accompany them. Although anxiety is experienced differently by each person, chest pain is a symptom that many people report with anxiety and panic attacks. Chest pain may differ in sensation from person to person as well.

The cause of anxiety-based chest pain is the body’s stress response system. This is the fight or flight response in action. The body’s stress response is triggered by real or perceived danger. The danger can be emotional or physical in nature. This starts a chain reaction of events in the body that can create some uncomfortable physical symptoms.

The heart rate increases to pump more blood through the body if you need to run from or fight off the danger. Breathing may become rapid to oxygenate the blood quickly, also helpful should you need to fight or flee. Blood is channeled into the larger muscles to aid in potential fighting or running, which sometimes means the hands and feet can feel cold. Muscles in the body tense up in preparation for danger, too. All of these combine to save us in the event of danger, which is a good thing! Chest pain may be experienced as a result of this response in the body.

There are some things you can do to support yourself in coping with anxiety. Regular exercise, regular and plentiful sleep, eating well, and other habits like meditation and mindfulness can be very helpful. There are many meditation and relaxation apps available to try out.

It’s important to speak with your doctor if you haven’t experienced chest pain as an anxiety symptom before. Talking with your doctor about your anxiety and chest pain is an important step in determining any potential medical cause for your anxiety or its symptoms and mapping out a treatment plan. Therapy and medication, either alone or used in combination, are often used to address anxiety.

Anxiety that occurs frequently or interferes with your ability to navigate daily tasks should be evaluated by your doctor or licensed counselor.