Anxiety and Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

March 10, 2010

Anxiety help is available online. One anxiety stress symptom is chest pains.

The pain you felt in your chest, during that brief bout of an anxiety attack made you really wonder - am I having a heart attack? This is a more common experience than what many realize. They are not limited to any particular age group, but can often start when a person is between 20 and 30. About twice as many women as men have these symptoms. This article will offer some help as to how to minimize anxiety chest pain.

The Problem

The pain in the chest is part of a natural reaction - that comes from an unexpected reaction to an emergency. The body, when confronted with what it perceives to be a threat, or life-threatening emergency, prepares itself automatically in a way that will help the creature to survive whatever the ordeal is that is facing it during a crisis. The reaction is totally normal, and it involves the generation of adrenaline, which causes the body to breathe faster, the heart to pump harder, and other changes such as preparing the body to utilize its energy reserves, and even cause the blood to clot a little quicker. It is a survival instinct.

The Symptoms

The difference between what is normal, and what is not, is when this type of reaction comes - for no apparent reason. There is a sudden feeling of impending death, heart palpitations, anxiety chest pain, possibly hot flashes or chills, shortness of breath, nausea, and trembling. The time of the appearance of an anxiety attack could be at any time - day or night.

Another problem that occurs is that the symptoms build-up and new ones are added as time goes on. There is aches and pains, stiffness, sleeping problems which include, insomnia and nightmares, depression, decreased sexual desires, unusual tension, and for women, it could change their monthly cycle. But one thing that will stand out is the anxiety chest pain - causing many to think they are experiencing a heart attack.

The person going through these symptoms is also most likely to have the problem compounded before long. They begin to realize that certain thoughts or places can increase the likelihood of an attack, and so they compound the problem by not doing certain things, or by not going to certain places.

The Triggers

While it is important to see a doctor for unexplained chest pain, if the person can discern that this is a panic attack, then there is not any real need to go to the hospital. Where it can be proven that stress is associated, and probably the culprit, then you can be sure that the anxiety chest pain will go away when the stress is reduced.

In addition to the presence of stress (whether it can be felt or not), there are also a number of things that elevate the likelihood that a panic attack will take place. This means that these things should be avoided.

Hypoglycemia
Food allergies
Caffeine-based products - especially when taken in abundance; this refers to coffee, tea, and chocolate.
Interpersonal conflicts
Substance abuse

The Remedy

While there are some things that just cannot be avoided in life, most of us can do some things to reduce the stress. Sometimes it may involve a little more planning, a little more work, or, may be just simply trying to avoid those stressful people around us. Regardless, the goal is to reduce the experiences of anxiety chest pain, and it will be necessary to make a few changes to help yourself.

Here are a few suggestions that should help to relieve anxiety chest pain, and other symptoms

See a doctor to find out if there is any physiological reason for the problem.
Get enough vitamins - especially calcium, magnesium and iron, an insufficient amount of these has been linked to panic attacks. Take general vitamin tablets to meet these needs.
Get a regular exercise program going - this usually helps immensely
Eat healthy; and be aware of any foods that might trigger an attack
Listen to calm music to reduce stress
Get sufficient rest.

VISITOR COMMENTS on "Anxiety and Chest Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment":

	More Articles
1. Herbal Remedies for Anxiety Herbal Remedies for Anxiety Disorder While there are several drugs on the market for treating anxiety, Herbal Remedies for Anxiety are becoming more and more popular for people with non-debilitating [...]
2. Bathophobia: Information, Causes and Treatment Bathophobia: Information, Causes and Treatment Bathophobia is referred to as a condition which arises due to fear or dislike to depth. Such [...]
3. Cymbalta for Anxiety: Medication, treating anxiety with cymbalta Cymbalta Medication: Uses, Benefits and Side Effects Cymbalta medication, manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved antidepressant [...]
4. Anxiety and Sleep: Symptoms and Cure Anxiety and Sleep: Symptoms and Cure Description Anxiety is like a state of mind that leaves you feeling worried for any number of reasons. This can [...]