Can stress cause chest pain

chest pain due to anxiety

Anxiety Coxarthritis is the chest pain from which people with high anxiety levels usually suffer. This problem has grown in recent years due to increased anxiety disorders during COVID. If we have chest pain or other anxious symptoms, we should get aid. .

Tietze syndrome, or costochondritis, is a painful condition caused by cartilage inflammation connecting the ribs to the sternum. This can result in chest pain similar to that of a heart problem. It is important to make a differential diagnosis to know if the pain is due to anxiety or another physical cause, which could be a heart problem.

The main thing is to eliminate immediate pain, but if the inflammation is for psychological and not physical reasons, you should contact a psychologist specializing in anxiety.

Pain in the left chest due to anxiety

Crises or anxiety attacks are sudden avalanches of intense discomfort and fear with both mental and physical symptoms. Among physicists, there may be pain in the chest. 

Chest pain due to anxiety should not be confused with a heart attack. So that you can differentiate them, keep in mind that anxiety-related pain can appear in several areas of the body. At the same time, a heart attack is centered on the left arm, in the center of the chest, and the neck in the case of men, and in the jaw, neck, shoulders, or upper belly in the case of women. In addition, if you are suffering a heart attack, the pain does not stop no matter how hard you try, while if it is anxiety, it can be reduced when you move or do some relaxation exercises. can stress cause chest pain 

Pain in the sternum due to anxiety

In women’s cases, a heart attack can cause pain in the upper part of the belly or sternum. In addition, this area of the body can also hurt when you are having an anxiety attack, as the back is tightened and the ribs are stretched.

If you don’t have a heart issue and suffer sweating, tremors, dizziness, or acute dread, it’s likely an anxiety attack.
But, if you experience jaw, neck, or shoulder pain that persists after trying relaxation techniques, you should see a doctor to rule out a heart attack.

Back pain due to anxiety

Another area of the body that can suffer the most from anxiety is the back, particularly the cervical and lumbar areas. Moreover, several studies show the relationship between chronic low back pain and anxiety disorders.

Back pains arise from stress. Anxiety causes a lot of tension to build up in the diaphragmatic muscles (front), as well as possible gastrointestinal issues, which causes us to change our posture. With this, back pains appear.

To treat this pain, it is best to have a multidisciplinary approach that includes an anxiety professional to treat anxiety and a physiotherapist to help treat physical pain and correct posture. Likewise, it is important to play sports to reduce these ailments.

Symptoms of chest pain due to anxiety

Symptoms of costochondritis or osteochondritis due to anxiety may include: 

• The main symptom is chest pain or a feeling of stress. It can be easily confused with other pathologies (heart attack) for that sharp and stabbing pain. Special care must be taken if chest pain occurs on the left side of the chest.
• Tightness extending to the neck, arm, or back is a symptom often confused with a heart attack. The patient must go to the emergency room to rule out physical problems, especially pain in the left arm.
• Deep breathing or sudden movements aggravate the pain. 
• Intense pain that improves with rest: if the tension or anxiety decreases the pain, it will likely rule out physical problems.
• Other symptoms, such as sweating, palpitations, or difficulty breathing, can be caused by anxiety.

It is important to mention that these symptoms can be similar to those of a heart problem, so it is important to consult with a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. 

Causes of costochondritis due to anxiety

Due to anxiety, there are several causes of costochondritis, or chest pain. Still, it can be reduced to one thing: anxiety causes tension in the muscles and tissues surrounding the ribs and sternum. This tension can cause inflammation and pain in the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the sternum.

Various factors, including stress, emotional trauma, mental health issues, and problems at work or in personal relationships, can cause anxiety. In addition, some people may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety.

The arrival of COVID-19 and its social and psychological repercussions have increased the prevalence of anxiety disorders, especially in people already at risk of developing this condition. The inflammation of the rib cartilage has increased significantly.

It is important to mention that chest pain due to anxiety can be a symptom of an existing anxiety disorder, so it is important to seek treatment for the underlying anxiety disorder.

Chest pressure due to anxiety

Another of the physical symptoms you can suffer when having an anxiety crisis is feeling strong pressure or tension in your chest. This pain appears suddenly, is usually stabbing, and makes breathing difficult. 

Pressure in the chest due to anxiety usually appears on one side of the chest, usually the left. Some people describe it as if an arrow pierced them or as a strong feeling of tightness in the chest due to small punctures when trying to breathe. 

How to Get Rid of Anxiety-Induced Chest Pain

If you have punctures or chest pain as a result of anxiety, you can try one or more of the following tips to alleviate the pain: can stress cause chest pain 

Look for a quiet place. 

When you have these chest pains or notice that you are about to have an anxiety attack, try to find a quiet place as soon as possible. Put yourself in the most comfortable position and close your eyes if you are lying down.

Control your way. 

Breathing is essential in times of great anxiety or anxiety attacks that cause, among other things, chest pain. chest thoughts.

Breathe deeply to control it.
calm breaths
Inhale and count to 10, hold your breath for a few seconds, and exhale.
on the beach, in the mountains, or anywhere you feel better.
and
Visualize yourself smelling, hearing, and feeling that place.
re-counting to 10. Repeat this exercise several times until your breathing calms and your heart rate slows.

In addition, these breathing exercises can help you relax the body and mind in a general way.

Manage your thoughts.

Although it is easier said than done, it is important that you try to take control of your mind and your thoughts during a crisis.

To control the situation, try to understand what is happening to you (you have an anxiety crisis) and why (surely, you know the reason for your anxiety). Be aware that you are sick and going through a stressful moment. However, it is only temporary and does not imply that you will die. Next, try to focus on having positive thoughts.

Imagine yourself in a place that gives you calm. 

In relation to the previous point, focusing on positive thoughts can help you calm down. You can, for example, visualize yourself on the beach, in the mountains, or somewhere else that makes you feel better. While visualizing yourself, try to evoke that place’s smells, noises, and sensations.

Take measures so that it doesn’t happen. 

We recommend following instructions to avoid these discomfort and uncomfortable circumstances.
To do this, you must take care of yourself and have excellent habits, such as sleeping enough, eating correctly, being active and playing sports, avoiding alcohol and drugs, not overworking, etc.

These habits will help you reduce the risks of stress and anxiety that can end up causing the annoying chest pain.

The treatment of chest pain, costochondritis, osteochondritis, or Tietze’s anxiety syndrome must be individualized and adapted to the needs and characteristics of the patient. The first step in working with an anxiety psychologist is to rule out the possibility that the ailment is caused by something other than anxiety. can stress cause chest pain