Will anxiety cause chest pain?

Anxiety may often be associated with emotional impacts and symptoms, but it has a set of physical symptoms that many people encounter. Chest pain is one of several common physical symptoms of anxiety. For some, this may be a frightening part of their anxiety experience, as it may come with worry about the status of their health overall or even concern that they are having a cardiac health event.

Chest pain resulting from anxiety is often described as stabbing or sharp, starting suddenly, and accompanying feelings of anxiety before the pain begins. However, the anxiety may also come after it. This pain usually doesn’t last for a long time, and the other anxiety symptoms usually outlast it.

Anxiety and panic attack symptoms may include:

• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Feelings of irritation
• Sense of dread
• Chest pain
• Rapid breathing
• Coldness in the extremities

Each person’s experience with anxiety is different. Differentiating between anxiety-related chest pain and cardiovascular-related pain is important. There are some differences, although they can be similar. Frequently, anxiety chest pain occurs while at rest; heart attack pain most often occurs when someone is active. Heart attack pain is reported as radiating to other parts of the body from the chest. Anxiety chest pain usually fades within 10 minutes, and heart attack pain is likely to increase.

When in doubt, it’s always best to be checked by a doctor.

Professional evaluation of chest pain is important. If it’s determined that you have anxiety or you already know that your chest pain is related to your anxiety, talking with a licensed mental health professional is a good next step. Your doctor and therapist may recommend medication, therapy, or a combination of both. In therapy, you will learn how to identify triggering events, thoughts, and situations, and how thoughts influence feelings, as well as skills for navigating challenging situations and changing thoughts that lead to increased anxiety.

Lifestyle changes are often recommended. These may include ensuring you’re getting enough sleep, limiting stimulants like caffeine, increasing exercise, establishing a solid and helpful support system, and learning relaxation techniques like meditation or progressive muscle relaxation.