When it comes to stress and anxiety, every person has a unique chemical make-up and therefore can experience differing symptoms. The intensity and frequency of these symptoms can also differ. One of the most common and scariest symptoms that can occur when a person is feeling stressed and anxious is tightness in the chest.
Although feeling tightness in the chest with anxiety is common, it can be scary. Most people associate this feeling with an impending heart attack, although when it comes to stress this is generally not the case. As a matter of fact, feeling this tightness is actually one of the most common symptoms of a panic attack.
Along with the tightness in the chest, there is also occasionally a painful feeling in that area as well. Sometimes, the pain is sudden and sharp, while at other times it can be dull and constant. Occasionally, the feeling is described as “tight.” Generally, however, the pain is felt in the center of the chest if it is anxiety-related. This is important due to the fact that your heart is not located in the center of your chest. So, while it might feel as though it is coming from your heart, if it’s in the center, it probably isn’t.
So why do you feel a tightness in your chest with anxiety? Well, it has something to do with your Sympathetic Nervous System. During times of high stress or anxiety, your body more or less prepares for battle and thinks that the situation is more serious than it actually is. As a result, it goes into defense mode and raises your heart rate as well as your blood pressure. This, in turn, can cause all sorts of things to occur within your chest cavity, including the tightening sensation.
The important thing to remember is that you know your own body and you know when something doesn’t feel right. If you’re under a stressful situation and begin having trouble with anxiety, it is important that you see your physician. Although it rarely causes long term problems, it can diminish the quality of your life if you are experiencing problems on a daily basis. In addition, even though tightness in the chest is a common symptom when it comes to anxiety, it should also be looked at by a physician in order to determine that there isn’t something more serious going on. If nothing else, it will help give you peace of mind.