Problems with work, family, finances and other important areas of life can leave you with significant anxiety. When anxiety becomes severe enough, it can cause pronounced physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders can trigger symptoms of anxiety even without a clear cause of stress. While these symptoms aren't immediately life-threatening, they do merit medical attention and proper management.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Chronic, or long-term, and acute, or short-term, anxiety can cause chest pressure, tightness or pain. You may experience related symptoms such as a racing heart and rapid pulse, heart palpitations and irregular breathing. Nausea, cold sweats, trembling and dizziness are also physical symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, such as social phobia, can all cause symptoms of anxiety, including chest pressure. Generalized anxiety disorder is a chronic condition involving an overall feeling of extreme worry and tension on a daily basis. Panic disorder causes sudden panic attacks that may occur with no warning or obvious source of stress. You may have only one attack in your life or experience them repeatedly.
Managing Your Symptoms
Chest pressure and related anxiety symptoms aren't harmful or life-threatening. Accepting your feelings and waiting for them to pass may help you deal with a panic attack, advise experts at the University of Michigan. Notice when your breathing becomes shallow or irregular and concentrate on taking slow, deep breaths instead. Relax your body by first tensing then relaxing one muscle group at a time from your feet upward to your facial muscles. Visualizing yourself in a calm, safe place may help.
Long-term Anxiety Management
Psychotherapy, such cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help you learn new techniques for managing your mental and physical reactions to anxiety, whether the cause is life stress or an anxiety disorder. If you have an anxiety disorder, your health care provider may also prescribe an anti-anxiety medication such as an antidepressant or mild tranquilizer. Anxiety disorders general respond well to psychotherapy and medication, note experts from the University of Maryland.
Warning
Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats and lightheadedness are also symptoms of a heart attack. If you experience these symptoms and aren't sure of the cause, wait no longer than five minutes before calling an ambulance. Left unmanaged, chronic stress increases your risk of headaches and muscle pain, gastrointestinal problems, skin disorders, infections, heart disease, stroke and even cancer. If you suspect you have an anxiety disorder, consult your health care provider for accurate diagnosis and guidance on available treatments.
