When a person has tightness in the chest with anxiety, it’s easy to conclude that there may be something wrong with your heart. However, this is not often the case. In fact, chest pain caused by anxiety is one of the most typical symptoms of an anxiety attack.

This is true even with the mildest cases of this condition. Many individuals aren’t even aware that they may be suffering with panic attacks, but this is actually fairly common. Surprisingly, over 20 million individuals in America alone suffer with varying degrees of panic attacks, some to the point of disability.

This article will discuss the difference between chest pain due to stress and other heart problems, the most common symptoms related to different types of chest pain, and some simple tips for what you can do to experience relief from these symptoms.

To start with, let me just say that chest pain of any type should be evaluated by a qualified doctor to rule out the possibility of a more serious health condition. With that said, are there certain ways you can tell if your chest pain is being caused by a panic attack rather than a heart condition?

In general, the type of chest pain you will feel with a heart condition is more like someone is sitting on your chest. Doctors describe this as a “crushing” sensation.

Chest pain from a panic attack is usually described as a “tense” or “tight” sensation in the chest. Sometimes, the tightness in the chest will also be accompanied by a sensation that your heart is beating really intensely and fast, or like your heart is about to jump out of your chest.

Problems with the heart will also usually lead to radiating pain. What that means is that you may also experience radiating pain or other sensations in your arm (typically the left arm), jaw, upper back, or neck. This isn’t the case every time, but it is very typical with heart conditions.

chest pain caused by anxiety is only one of the symptoms you may feel with an anxiety attack. You may also experience difficulty breathing, unrealistic fears, a fear of impending doom (feeling like you’re going to die), nervousness, a jittery sensation (like you have rushes of adrenaline), among others.

So, why would a person feel tightness in the chest with anxiety? Well, what is happening is that your nervous system is actually exaggerating your reaction to stress.

Click here (chest pain caused by anxiety) to continue reading this article, where you’ll learn more about the cause of tightness in the chest with anxiety, as well as the most effective treatments available for relief from this health condition.