Uneasiness in the chest

Why does my chest feel heavy? 13 causes and treatment

Feeling heaviness in the chest can result from various mental and physical health conditions.

People often associate a heavy feeling in the chest with heart problems, but this discomfort can be a sign of anxiety or depression.

A feeling of heaviness is one way that a person may describe chest pain or discomfort. Other sensations that a person with chest pain may experience include:

tightening
crushing
squeezing
aching
burning
stabbing

This article explores 13 causes of a heavy feeling in the chest and ways to treat them.

Anxiety can cause a number of physical symptoms, including a heavy feeling in the chest.

Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that causes a person to feel worried, apprehensive, and tense. It can also cause many physical symptoms.

Experiencing anxiety can lead to a heavy or tight feeling in the chest. Other physical symptoms of anxiety include:

muscle tension
sweating
shaking
a rapid heartbeat
fast breathing
dizziness
nausea
pins and needles

A panic attack involves experiencing many of these symptoms at once. Panic attack symptoms feel intense and overwhelming.

If a person has not had a panic attack before, they may mistake their symptoms for those of a heart attack.

Experiencing a panic attack can make a person feel like they are in physical danger, but these attacks are not physically harmful. Symptoms usually pass after 10–20 minutes.

If a person has panic attacks often, they may have a type of anxiety disorder called panic disorder.

Depression is another psychological cause of a heavy feeling in the chest. A 2017 study found a link between having depression and experiencing recurrent chest pain.

A person with depression may experience physical symptoms because depression affects how people feel pain. One theory is that this is because depression affects the neurotransmitters that govern both pain and mood.

People with depression may also experience chest heaviness due to an increase in perceived stress.

Unexplained aches and pains accompanied by feeling low, hopeless, guilty, or worthless may be a sign of depression.

Chest pain may result from intercostal muscle strain, which can happen when a person overstretches and pulls the muscle that holds the ribs in place.

Straining the intercostal muscles may put pressure on the ribs and cause a heavy feeling in the chest.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that can cause chest pain.

GERD occurs when stomach acid comes back up into a person’s throat. As well as chest pain, it may cause:

excessive saliva
pain when swallowing
a sore throat

Pericarditis pain may get worse if a person lies down.

Pericarditis is a heart problem that may cause chest pain.

The pericardium is the name of the layers of tissue surrounding the heart. Pericarditis occurs when the pericardium becomes infected and swells.

When swollen, the pericardium may rub against the heart, causing chest pain. The pain typically gets better when a person sits upright and worse when they lie down.

Angina can cause a feeling of pressure in the chest. It happens when the heart muscle does not get enough blood, and it is a symptom of coronary artery disease.

As well as chest pain, angina may cause pain in the:

back
neck
arms
shoulders
jaw

Chest discomfort is one symptom of a heart attack. During a heart attack, a person’s chest may feel:

heavy
pressurized
squeezed
full
painful

Other heart attack symptoms include:

pain in the neck, jaw, arms, back, or stomach
shortness of breath
a cold sweat
dizziness
nausea

A heart attack is a medical emergency, so anyone who suspects that they are having one should seek immediate medical care.

Pneumonia can cause chest pain that worsens when a person coughs or breathes deeply.

It is a complication of the flu and other respiratory infections. Other symptoms of pneumonia include:

shortness of breath
a cough
fever
chills

A partial or completely collapsed lung may cause a person’s chest to feel heavy and painful.

Known as pneumothorax, a collapsed lung happens when air collects in the space between the lungs and chest wall. Pneumothorax can occur on its own or as a complication of lung disease.

As well as chest pain, a person with a collapsed lung may experience shortness of breath.

A pulmonary embolism requires immediate medical treatment.

A heavy or painful feeling in the chest may be a sign of a pulmonary embolism. This is when a blockage occurs in the pulmonary artery, or the artery in the lung.

The blockage is usually a blood clot, but in rare cases, it can be made up of other substances, such as fat.

The blockage will cause other symptoms, such as:

lightheadedness
severe difficulty breathing
a fast heartbeat
passing out

A pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening without treatment.

If a person has pain where their breastbone meets their ribs, they may have costochondritis.

Also known as chest wall pain, costochondritis occurs when the cartilage between the rib and the breastbone becomes inflamed. The pain may feel worse when a person touches the area.

A buildup of cholesterol or bilirubin can form masses, known as gallstones, in the gallbladder.

Gallstones do not always cause symptoms, but if they block a person’s bile ducts, they can cause chest pain. Doctors refer to this as a gallbladder attack.

A person usually feels gallbladder attack pain in the upper right abdomen. The pain is often sharp and sudden, but it can feel like dull, heavy cramping.

Sudden chest pain may result from an aortic dissection.

The aorta is the main artery that comes from the heart. An aortic dissection occurs when the wall of the aorta tears.

This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

The treatment for a heavy-feeling chest varies, depending on the cause. We explore treatments for the mental and physical causes of chest pain below.

Treating psychological causes

When chest heaviness or tightness is a symptom of anxiety or depression, it is important to get help for the underlying condition.

People can often manage depression and anxiety through a combination of medication and talk therapy.

Lifestyle changes and stress-management techniques can also help. These include:

regular exercise
yoga, mindfulness, or meditation
eating a healthful, balanced diet
getting enough sleep
journaling
seeking emotional support from family and friends

Treating physical causes

Each of the following causes of chest heaviness or pain may have a different treatment:

Muscle strain: Pain-relieving medication, rest, and compresses can heal the strain over time.
GERD: Lifestyle and dietary changes can often prevent symptoms.
Pericarditis: A doctor may prescribe medication to reduce inflammation.
Angina: Medication and lifestyle changes can often reduce symptoms. Sometimes surgery is necessary.
Heart attack: This requires emergency treatment, which may include medication and surgery.
Pneumonia: Rest and medication can help treat the infection. A person may require hospital treatment if symptoms are severe.
Collapsed lung: Treatment focuses on releasing the trapped air
Pulmonary embolism: A person may receive blood-thinning drugs, oxygen, and pain relief in the hospital.
Costochondritis: Pain-relieving medication, compresses, and rest can relieve symptoms.
Gallstones: Gallbladder attacks may require hospital treatment.
Aortic dissection: This may require emergency surgery.

People who have anxiety or depression may recognize a heavy feeling in the chest as a symptom of their condition. In this case, it is not usually necessary to see a doctor every time symptoms occur.

However, as chest heaviness and pain have many causes, it is best to see a doctor when new symptoms happen for the first time.

Anyone experiencing sudden, unexplained, severe chest pain should contact emergency services.

Read the article in Spanish.

Anxiety, Heaviness, Stress, Shortness of Breath

You should see a doctor immediately if you suspect that you’re having a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack include:

pain
squeezing
burning
pain that lasts for several minutes
continual pain in the middle of your chest
pain that travels to other areas of the body
cold sweating
nausea
difficulty breathing

Many conditions can cause you to experience a tight chest. These conditions include:

COVID-19

Making headlines in 2020, COVID-19 is a viral disease that can cause tightness in the chest for some people. This is an emergency symptom, so you should contact your doctor or medical services if you’re experiencing persistent chest tightness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other emergency symptoms of COVID-19 include:

trouble breathing
bluish lips
persistent drowsiness

More commonly, those who have COVID-19 will experience mild symptoms that include fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath.

Learn more about COVID-19.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a common condition. About 40 million adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder. Chest tightness is one symptom of anxiety. There are others that may occur simultaneously, including:

breathing rapidly
difficulty breathing
pounding heart
dizziness
tightening and aching muscles
nervousness

You may find that your anxiety culminates in a panic attack, which can last for 10 to 20 minutes.

Learn more about anxiety.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, often referred to as GERD, occurs when stomach acid travels back up from the stomach to the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth and stomach.

Along with a tight chest, symptoms of GERD include:

a burning sensation in the chest
difficulty swallowing
chest pain
the sensation of a lump in your throat

Most people experience some form of acid reflux from time to time. However, people with GERD experience these symptoms at least twice a week, or more severe symptoms once a week.

It’s possible to treat GERD with over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes. Surgery and stronger medications are options for those who experience debilitating GERD.

Learn more about GERD.

Muscle strain

Muscle strain is a common cause of tightness in the chest. Straining of the intercostal muscles, in particular, can cause symptoms.

In fact, 21 to 49 percent of all musculoskeletal chest pain comes from straining the intercostal muscles. These muscles are responsible for attaching your ribs to one another. Muscle strain typically occurs from intense activity, like reaching or lifting when twisting.

Along with muscle tightness, you may experience:

pain
tenderness
difficulty breathing
swelling

There are a number of at-home treatments to try before seeing your doctor and seeking out physical therapy. Though strains typically take a while to heal, sticking closely to your physical therapy regimen can help alleviate some of the stress of the healing process.

Learn more about muscle strains.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of your lungs. Your lungs are filled with small air sacs that help oxygen get into the blood. When you have pneumonia, these small air sacs become inflamed and may even become filled with pus or fluid.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on your infection, with mild symptoms resembling those of the common flu. In addition to chest tightness, other symptoms include:

chest pain
confusion, especially if you’re older than 65
cough
fatigue
sweating, fever, chills
lower than normal body temperature
shortness of breath
nausea and diarrhea

It’s possible to develop a variety of complications from this infection. You should seek out your doctor as soon as you suspect you have pneumonia.

Learn more about pneumonia.

Asthma

Asthma is a condition in which the airways in your lungs become inflamed, narrow, and swollen. This, in addition to the production of extra mucus, can make it hard to breathe for those who have asthma.

The severity of asthma varies from person to person. Those who have this condition need to manage their symptoms.

Chest tightness is an incredibly common sign of asthma, along with:

shortness of breath
coughing
wheezing
a whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling

It’s common in some people for these symptoms to flare up at certain times, like when exercising. You can also have occupational and allergy-induced asthma, where irritants in the workplace or environment make the symptoms worse.

Asthma symptoms can be managed with prescription medications. Talk to your doctor about ways to determine if you need emergency treatment when feeling short of breath.

Learn more about asthma.

Ulcers

Peptic ulcers occur when a sore develops on the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine. While stomach pain is the most common symptom of an ulcer, it’s possible to experience chest pain as a cause of this condition. Other symptoms are:

burning stomach pain
feeling full or bloated
burping
heartburn
nausea

Treatment for ulcers typically depends on what’s causing them in the first place. However, an empty stomach can make your symptoms worse. Eating certain foods that’ll buffer stomach acids can also bring you some relief from these painful symptoms.

Learn more about ulcers.

Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm, or the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.

In many cases, you may never even notice that you have a hiatal hernia. However, a large hiatal hernia will cause food and acid to back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

In addition to heartburn and chest tightness, a large hiatal hernia will cause:

burping
difficulty swallowing
chest and abdominal pain
feelings of fullness
vomiting of blood or passing of black stools

Treatments usually include medications to reduce heartburn, or, in more severe cases, surgery.

Learn more about hiatal hernia.

Rib fracture

In most cases, a fractured rib is caused by some sort of trauma, causing the bone to crack. Though deeply painful, broken ribs usually heal on their own in 1 or 2 months.

However, it’s important to monitor rib injuries so that complications don’t develop. Pain is the most severe and common symptoms of an injured rib. It usually gets worse when you take a deep breath, press on the injured area, or bend or twist your body. Treatment usually involves pain medication and physical therapy, such as breathing exercises.

Learn more about fractured ribs.

Shingles

Shingles is a painful rash that’s caused by a viral infection. It’s possible to get this rash anywhere on your body, but it usually wraps around one side of your chest. While shingles isn’t life threatening, it can be incredibly painful.

Typically, symptoms only affect the area of the body that’s affected by the rash. Other symptoms include:

pain, burning, numbness, and tingling
sensitivity to touch
red rash
fluid-filled blisters
fever
headache
sensitivity to light
fatigue
itching

If you suspect that you have shingles, you’ll want to see a doctor immediately. While there’s no cure for shingles, prescription antiviral drugs can speed up the healing process while reducing your risk of complications. Shingles usually lasts between 2 to 6 weeks.

Learn more about shingles.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas is inflamed. The pancreas is located in the upper abdomen, tucked behind the stomach. Its role is to produce enzymes that help regulate the way your body processes sugar.

Pancreatitis can go away on its own after a few days (acute pancreatitis), or it can be chronic, developing into a life threatening illness.

Acute pancreatitis symptoms include:

upper abdominal pain
back pain
pain that feels worse after eating
fever
rapid pulse
nausea
vomiting
tenderness in the abdomen

Chronic pancreatitis symptoms include:

upper abdominal pain
losing weight without trying
oily, smelly stools

Initial treatments may include fasting (to give your pancreas a break), pain medication, and IV fluids. From there, treatment may vary depending on the underlying cause of your pancreatitis.

Learn more about pancreatitis.

Pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a type of high blood pressure within the arteries of the lungs and the right side of the heart.

The rise in blood pressure is caused by changes in the cells that line the pulmonary arteries. These changes cause the walls of the arteries to become stiff, thick, inflamed, and tight. This can reduce or block blood flow, raising the blood pressure in these arteries.

This condition may not be noticeable for many years, but symptoms usually become apparent after a number of years. Other symptoms include:

shortness of breath
fatigue
dizziness
chest pressure or pain
chest tightness
swelling of the ankles, legs, and eventually in the abdomen
bluish color in the lips and skin
racing pulse and heart palpitations

While PH can’t be cured, medication and possibly surgery can help to manage your condition. Finding the underlying cause for your PH can be crucial in treatment as well.

Learn more about pulmonary hypertension.

Gallstones

Gallstones are small pieces of solid material that form within the gallbladder, a small organ located under the liver.

The gallbladder stores bile, a green-yellow liquid that helps with digestion. In most cases, gallstones form when there’s too much cholesterol in the bile. Gallstones may or may not cause symptoms, and usually those that don’t require treatment.

However, you may have a gallstone that requires treatment if you experience sudden pain in the upper right portion or center of your abdomen, in addition to:

back pain
right shoulder pain
nausea or vomiting

In these cases, you may need to have surgery to remove the gallbladder. If you can’t undergo surgery, it’s possible to try to take medications to dissolve the gallstones, though surgery is generally the first course of action.

Learn more about gallstones.

Costochondritis

Costochondritis is the inflammation of the cartilage in the rib cage. In most cases, the condition affects the cartilage that connects the upper ribs attached to the breastbone, or sternum. Pain associated with this condition usually:

occurs on the left side of the breast
is sharp, aching, and feels like pressure
affects more than one rib
worsens with deep breaths or coughs

Chest pain that results from this condition can range from mild to severe. In mild cases, your chest will feel tender to the touch. In severe cases, you may also experience shooting pain in your limbs.

There’s no apparent cause for costochondritis, so treatment focuses on pain relief. The pain usually subsides on its own after several weeks.

Learn more about costochondritis.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease occurs when the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen, and nutrients become damaged or diseased. In most cases, this damage results from the buildup of a waxy substance, called plaque, and inflammation in these arteries.

This buildup and inflammation narrows your arteries, decreasing the blood flow to the heart. This can cause pain and a number of other symptoms, including:

chest pressure or tightness
chest pain (angina)
shortness of breath

If your artery becomes completely blocked, it’s possible to have a heart attack as a result of coronary artery disease. In this case, you need to seek immediate medical treatment.

A variety of lifestyle changes can both prevent and treat coronary artery disease. However, a number of medications and procedures are also available, depending on the severity of your case.

Learn more about coronary artery disease.

Esophageal contraction disorder

Esophageal contraction disorder is characterized by painful contractions in the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects your mouth and stomach. These spasms usually feel like sudden, severe chest pain, and they can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Other symptoms include:

difficulty swallowing
the feeling that an object is stuck in your throat
regurgitation of food or liquids

If your esophagus spasms only occasionally, you may not want to seek treatment. However, if this condition prevents you from eating and drinking, you may want to see what your doctor can do for you. They may recommend that you:

avoid certain foods or drinks
manage the underlying conditions
use medications to relax your esophagus
consider surgery

Learn more about esophageal contraction disorder.

Esophageal hypersensitivity

People with esophageal hypersensitivity are extremely sensitive to conditions that may affect the esophagus. They may report more frequent and intense symptoms, such as chest pain and heartburn. In many cases, esophageal hypersensitivity isn’t a problem. However, if it occurs simultaneously with conditions like GERD, the pain can be debilitating.

The symptoms of esophageal hypersensitivity are typically identical to those of GERD. Initial treatment usually involves acid suppressants. Other medications or surgery may be necessary.

Esophageal rupture

A rupture of the esophagus is a tear or a hole in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach, where food and liquids pass through.

Though uncommon, esophageal rupture is a life threatening condition. Intense pain is the first symptom of this condition, usually where the rupture occurred, but also in your general chest area. Other symptoms include:

trouble swallowing
increased heart rate
low blood pressure
fever
chills
vomiting, which may include blood
pain or stiffness in your neck

Prompt treatment can help prevent infection and other complications. It’s important to prevent the fluid that travels through the esophagus from leaking. It can become trapped in the tissue of your lungs and cause infections and breathing difficulties.

Most people will need surgery to close the rupture. Seek treatment immediately if you’re having trouble breathing or swallowing.

Learn more about esophageal rupture.

Mitral valve prolapse

The mitral valve lies between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. As the left atrium fills with blood, the mitral valve opens, and blood flows into the left ventricle. However, when the mitral valve doesn’t close properly, a condition known as mitral valve prolapse occurs.

This condition is also known as click-murmur syndrome, Barlow’s syndrome, or floppy valve syndrome.

When the valve doesn’t close completely, the leaflets of the valve bulge, or prolapse, in the left atrium, which is the upper chamber.

Many people with this condition don’t have any symptoms, though some may occur if blood is leaking back through the valve (regurgitation). Symptoms vary greatly from person to person and can worsen over time. They include:

racing or irregular heartbeat
dizziness or lightheadedness
difficulty breathing
shortness of breath
fatigue
chest pain

Only some cases of mitral valve prolapse require treatment. However, your doctor may recommend medications or surgery, depending on the severity of your condition.

Learn more about mitral valve prolapse.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease that causes the heart muscle to be abnormally thick, or hypertrophied. This typically makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. Many people never experience symptoms and can go their whole lives without being diagnosed.

However, if you do experience symptoms, HCM can cause any of the following:

shortness of breath
chest pain and tightness
fainting
sensation of rapid fluttering and pounding heartbeats
heart murmur

Treatment of HCM depends on the severity of your symptoms. You can use medications to relax the heart muscle and slow your heart rate, undergo surgery, or implant a small device, called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), into your chest. An ICD continuously monitors your heartbeat and fixes dangerous abnormal heart rhythms.

Learn more about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Pericarditis

The pericardium is a thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. When swelling and irritation occurs in this membrane, a condition called pericarditis occurs. Pericarditis has different classification types, and the symptoms vary for each type of pericarditis you have. However, symptoms for all types include:

sharp and piercing chest pain in the center or left side of the chest
shortness of breath, especially when reclining
heart palpitations
low-grade fever
overall sense of weakness, fatigue, feeling sick
cough
abdominal or leg swelling

The chest pain associated with pericarditis happens when the irritated layers of the pericardium rub against each other. This condition can come on suddenly but last temporarily. This is known as acute pericarditis.

When symptoms are gradual and persist for a long time, you may have chronic pericarditis. Most cases will improve on their own over time. Treatment of more severe cases include medications and possibly surgery.

Learn more about pericarditis.

Pleuritis

Pleuritis, also known as pleurisy, is a condition in which the pleura becomes inflamed. The pleura is a membrane that lines the inner side of the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs. Chest pain is the main symptom. Radiating pain in the shoulders and back may also occur. Other symptoms include:

shortness of breath
cough
fever

A number of conditions can cause pleuritis. Treatment usually involves pain control and treating the underlying cause.

Learn more about pleuritis.

Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax happens when one of your lungs collapses, and air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall. When air pushes on the outside of your lung, it can collapse.

Most of the time, a pneumothorax is caused by a traumatic chest injury. It can also occur from damage from an underlying chest disease or certain medical procedures.

Symptoms include sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. While a pneumothorax can be life threatening, some may heal on their own. If not, treatment usually involves inserting a flexible tube or needle between the ribs to remove excess air.

Learn more about pneumothorax.

Coronary artery tear

A coronary artery tear is an emergency situation where a blood vessel that supplies oxygen and blood to the heart spontaneously tears. This can slow or block blood flow to the heart, causing sudden heart attack and even sudden death. A coronary artery tear can cause:

chest pain
rapid heartbeat
pain in the arm, shoulder, or jaw
shortness of breath
sweating
extreme tiredness
nausea
dizziness

When you experience a coronary artery tear, the main priority through treatment is to restore blood flow to the heart. If this doesn’t occur naturally, a doctor repairs the tear through surgery. Surgery involves either opening the artery with a balloon or stent, or bypassing the artery.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism occurs when one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs is blocked. In most cases, this is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs.

If you experience this condition, you’ll feel shortness of breath, chest pain, and a cough. Less common symptoms include:

leg pain and swelling
clammy and discolored skin
fever
sweating
rapid heartbeat
lightheadedness or dizziness

While pulmonary embolisms can be life threatening, early detection and treatment greatly increase your chances of survival. Treatment usually involves surgery and medication. You might also be interested in medications that prevent further clots from forming.

Learn more about pulmonary embolism.

Your doctor will conduct tests to determine the cause of your chest tightness. If the tests for a heart attack come back negative, your symptoms may be caused by anxiety.

You should discuss your symptoms with your doctor to determine when to seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest tightness again. It may be possible to link your chest tightness to other symptoms that’ll help you identify anxiety versus a cardiac event.

Home treatments

Once you can link your chest tightness with anxiety, there are several ways you can combat the symptom at home. Several lifestyle adjustments can help you reduce stress and relieve anxiety, including:

regular exercise
avoiding stress
avoiding caffeine
avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
eating a balanced diet
using relaxation methods like meditation
finding hobbies outside of school or work
socializing regularly

You shouldn’t ignore feelings of anxiety or avoid medical treatment for the condition. It may be that home-based treatments alone can’t help reduce your anxiety. See your doctor to determine other treatment methods for anxiety.

Chest tightness isn’t a symptom to take lightly. If you experience chest tightness with other concerning symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Chest tightness could be a symptom of a serious health condition, like a heart attack.

If your chest tightness is the result of anxiety, you should discuss the symptoms with your doctor. Anxiety should be treated early to keep it from getting worse. Your doctor can help you implement a plan that’ll reduce anxiety and chest tightness. This may include lifestyle adjustments that help you manage the anxiety from home.

Read this article in Spanish.

Heart alarm - For a healthy lifestyle! - Articles - Center of Modern Cardiology

Very often people complain of pain in the heart, but it turns out that the stomach hurts, suffers from osteochondrosis or stress has led to the development of depression. And the development of a heart attack is not recognized, they are attributed to the same stomach, osteochondrosis or even toothache. How to figure it out? Let's try to help.

angina pectoris. That was the name in the old days of the disease that we now call angina pectoris. A heart attack usually begins with a pressing or burning pain in the center of the chest (doctors say "behind the sternum") during exercise or stress, although it can develop at rest.

The pain is quite intense, can radiate to the lower jaw, shoulders and arms (more often to the left, but possibly both), to the neck, throat and back. Sometimes it disguises itself as bursting pains in the same areas or pains in the stomach (upper abdomen - epigastrium), simulating an intestinal disorder. The pain disappears at rest in a few minutes, and if you put a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue (or spray a spray containing nitroglycerin) - almost instantly.

If such pain lasts longer than 20-30 minutes and its intensity increases, the development of a heart attack is not excluded. Timely assistance significantly reduces the risk of dying from a heart attack, so you need to call an ambulance team as soon as possible. Recording an ECG in a heart attack almost always helps to make a diagnosis.

Heart attack cancelled. Very often, young women come to the doctor with complaints of pain in the heart. How could it be otherwise, because through the heart we pass all our troubles, worries and joys. In this case, there is usually no cause for alarm.

In young women, "heart pain" is often functional, meaning it is not caused by angina pectoris. Female sex hormones protect blood vessels from the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. And if you look, “heart” pains bother women not in the area where “angina pectoris” likes to settle, but in the left half of the chest, in the armpit or under the left breast. They are, as a rule, in the nature of discomfort, stabbing or aching pain, and can last from half an hour to several hours or even days.

These feelings arise for various reasons. Stress, sleep deprivation, overwork, premenstrual periods…and, as a result, an anxiety or depressive disorder. The skeletal muscles are tense, on the shoulders they are compacted into painful lumps - “lumps of nerves”! Sometimes it is enough to have a short, but good rest, pleasant emotions.

In more serious cases, one has to seek help from a neurologist , a psychotherapist. Remember: the longer the depression lasts, the more difficult it is for the doctor to completely relieve you of discomfort, sleep disturbances and bad mood. However, in addition to stress, other reasons can lead to pain in the “heart area”.

"Bouquet of diseases". Osteochondrosis, a disease of sedentary people, leads to pinching of the nerve roots and the development of pain. If the thoracic spine is involved, then it is the heart that falls under the patient's suspicion - it pricks and pierces, lies on the chest with a lump or stone, catches with inhalations and sharp turns of the body, and aches for hours.

If such sensations occur during strong excitement, then the full impression of a heart attack can be formed. But the true cause of the pain in this case is the tension of the muscles of the neck and back. Unlike an attack of angina, which is quickly relieved by nitroglycerin, pain medications, massage, kneading the back with hydromassage jets can help, shock wave therapy. During examination, changes in the vertebrae can be found on an x-ray of the spine. But the ECG, even at the time of the most intense neuralgic pain, will be normal.

Chest pain may occur during a cold if it is complicated by bronchitis. Coughing can add discomfort, since already on the second day of a hacking cough, in addition to the bronchi, pectoral muscles will add to the pain. If the cold is complicated by pneumonia and pleurisy, then with a deep breath and exhalation, changes in pain can be noticed. The pain increases with inhalation, when the lungs straighten and “rub” against the inflamed pleura, and decreases with exhalation.

The doctor will recommend an X-ray of the lungs, listen with a phonendoscope for wheezing in the lungs.

Do not forget about the stomach, pancreas and gallbladder. A common cause of chest pain is intercostal neuralgia, herpes zoster, and in women - mastopathy. Regular palpations of the mammary glands must be carried out by women after 30-35 years, and if there is pain or induration, consult a doctor who will most likely refer you to an ultrasound of the mammary glands and mammography.

Gender matters, because it is in women that “heart pain” during examination turns out to be a mask of other diseases, and in men over 40 any “gastritis, osteochondrosis attack or sore tooth” may turn out to be a first-time developed heart attack. A timely visit to the doctor is necessary if the heart is at risk.

On the other hand, all the pains in the chest should not be blamed on the poor heart either.

Let's try to figure it out, analyze our feelings and try to distinguish between an attack that can threaten health and functional pain.
- Stitching or aching pain in the left side of the chest, which does not give anywhere?
- The pain begins and goes away gradually, lasts a long time, for hours, and even days, if you are stressed?
- Physical activity does not cause or increase discomfort in the heart area, and sometimes even relieves it?
- The pain does not go away after taking nitroglycerin, but subsides with sedatives?

If you answered “yes” to most of the questions, you probably don't have to worry about your heart. If so, complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the CES-D questionnaire. Perhaps the stresses in your life have led to the development of depression and the consultation of a psychotherapist will relieve your "heart anxiety".

treatment, how to get rid of anxiety, how to deal with anxiety for no reason

Anxiety is a negatively colored mood with feelings of worry, tension, and fear. In moderation, such emotions are useful: they help to mobilize forces and find a way out of extreme situations. But there must be grounds for concern, and normally it lasts a limited period of time.

If a person constantly experiences a feeling of anxiety and anxiety for no reason, this may indicate the presence of a mental disorder. In the absence of help, constant tension wears out the nervous system and the body as a whole, which leads to a breakdown in adaptation mechanisms and the development of chronic diseases.

If you notice that you cannot relax for a long time, then you should think about visiting a specialist.

In pathological cases, a state of anxiety and restlessness without a cause manifests itself both mentally and physically.

Mental symptoms:

constant feeling of fear and excitement for no reason,
poor concentration and attention,
sleep disorders,
emotional lability, irritability, tearfulness,
inability to relax and fully engage in daily activities or communication,
the need to reassure others that everything is okay. At the same time, words of support do not bring relief.

Physical symptoms:

rapid breathing and heartbeat,
headaches, pain in the abdomen and in the region of the heart,
excessive sweating,
eating disorders: increased or loss of appetite,
weakness,
shivering, chills,
stool disorders: frequent urge, constipation,
feeling short of breath,
nausea,
muscle spasms and pain.

Unreasonable anxiety and anxiety increase or smooth out from time to time. Exacerbations often accompany stress: conflicts, important events, illness. Normally, a person recovers quickly after the situation is resolved, but when upset, negative emotions do not go away.

The intensity of anxiety varies from mild to severe. The extreme is panic. If you ignore an anxiety state for a long time for no reason, then panic attacks can join it. They overtake unexpectedly and sometimes without a good enough reason, but after this episode, a person begins to avoid situations similar to the one in which it happened: public transport, an elevator, or just a crowd of people. This greatly reduces the quality of life and can lead to social isolation.

Causes of causeless anxiety and anxiety

The occurrence of anxiety disorder is influenced by heredity. It has been found that certain brain structures and features of biological processes play an important role in the emergence of fear and anxiety. Personal characteristics, somatic health problems, lifestyle and various types of addictions also matter. Sometimes there is no cause for causeless anxiety and worry. Negative feelings usually have a trigger - an event or thought that causes an anxious response. However, most people are not aware of their triggers and believe that their emotions are groundless. In this case, only a specialist will help to understand why excitement arises for no reason.

There are a number of diseases, the symptoms of which are constant anxiety. With causeless fear and anxiety, the reasons may be as follows:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Constant nervousness and worry about small things that are usually visible to others and last 6 or more months. It starts in adolescence and intensifies with age.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: obsessive thoughts and fears that are accompanied by obsessive actions that do not bring relief. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is distinguished - a person is indomitably haunted by memories that reproduce a traumatic situation.
Phobias: irrational fear of any, even mundane, things. Accompanied by uncontrolled panic and physical manifestations.
Panic attack is an excruciating and sudden attack of panic, which is accompanied by a fear of death and vivid somatic symptoms. The regular occurrence of panic attacks means the development of a panic disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: occurs after a severe traumatic situation and is accompanied by high levels of anxiety, avoidance and flashbacks.

These are the most common examples, but pathological anxiety can be a symptom of other disorders or the result of a failed stress management. If you want to understand why there is a feeling of anxiety for no reason, you should consult a doctor. Without clarifying the main factor and working on it, it is impossible to restore health and peace of mind.

What to do with causeless anxiety and anxiety

It is difficult to live in constant stress. If you experience causeless anxiety and fear of what to do, the following list will tell you:

Talk to someone you trust. This could be a relative, a close friend, a therapist, or a helpline employee. People are social creatures, so communication is a good way to relieve internal tension.
Find a way to calm down quickly. There is not always a person with whom you can share. Therefore, it is important to find a suitable method that will help you relax: breathing techniques, soothing music, aromatherapy, self-massage, and more. If you cannot independently choose a technique that quickly helps with anxiety for no reason, a specialist will tell you what to do.
Add physical activity to your life. It is a natural and effective remedy for anxiety. Moderate sport relieves stress, lowers stress hormones, and strengthens the nervous system. Get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise a day.
Normalization of lifestyle. Get enough sleep, eat well, give up bad habits. This stabilizes physical performance and neurotransmitter levels, which helps maintain emotional balance.
Start keeping a diary. Notes help identify patterns of anxiety flare-ups, understand the causes, and notice early signs of their occurrence. Also, thanks to this, you will begin to focus more on positive events that you might not have noticed before.

With excitement for no reason, everyone who regularly encounters this wants to know what to do. There is no universal method, however, the 5 steps listed above are recommended for every person with increased anxiety. This may be enough to alleviate symptoms. But if self-help techniques do not give the desired effect, then with a regularly occurring feeling of anxiety for no reason, you need to find out from a specialist what to do.

Treatment of causeless feelings of anxiety and restlessness

Regardless of the cause of pathological anxiety, professional help is the only complete method to eliminate the problem. If you have constant excitement and anxiety for no reason, you can quickly and effectively learn from a psychiatrist or psychotherapist how to get rid of this condition.

Due to the diversity of anxiety disorders, their therapy must be adapted to the individual clinical picture and diagnosis. Therefore, only a highly qualified specialist who has experience working with different types of anxiety conditions can tell you how to get rid of an anxiety state for no reason. For example, the therapy algorithm for a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is different from the help for panic attacks.

For a state of anxiety and anxiety without a cause, treatment includes the following approaches:

Psychotherapy. The most promising direction, which not only eliminates the symptom, but identifies the cause and fights it. Therapy teaches when feeling anxiety for no reason, how to get rid of acute attacks of anxiety, relax, look at life situations differently. The doctor will help to uncover the main causes of your fears and work them out. The patient receives the tools to overcome anxiety and uses them successfully. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is usually used: in the course of treatment, the patient encounters an object of concern and gradually gains confidence that he can control the situation.
Medical therapy. Depending on the type of anxiety and the presence of associated mental or physical health problems, antidepressants, sedatives, sleeping pills, and other drugs may be prescribed. When anxiety is felt without a cause, drug treatment will alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life of the patient during his psychotherapeutic work on the underlying cause. Uncontrolled medication leads to dangerous side effects and withdrawal syndrome, so they can only be used according to the individual course prescribed by the doctor.

It is recommended to use a combination of psychotherapeutic and drug treatment, but sometimes only the first one is enough.

You should not put off visiting a doctor if you feel that experiences are preventing you from living. Over time, the symptoms worsen and other severe mental illnesses join: depression, neurotic disorders, and more. If the normalization of lifestyle does not help, it means that you will understand how to get rid of unreasonable anxiety only from a psychotherapist.

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