How to Cope With Anxiety and a Heavy Chest
Feeling a heavy chest can be a symptom of anxiety. It may be caused by many different factors, and it’s important to learn how to cope with it.
If you’re experiencing a heavy chest, you should seek medical attention. While it’s true that many people associate this symptom with heart attacks, it’s not always the case. In fact, it can be a sign of something more serious, like aortic dissection.
Anxiety is often accompanied by other physical symptoms, including rapid breathing and muscle tightness. These symptoms are referred to as “fight or flight” responses. This means that the muscles will contract as the body prepares for a fight or flight situation.
If you have anxiety and you experience the aforementioned chest pain, it’s wise to visit your healthcare provider. They’ll perform a thorough physical exam and make sure there are no underlying heart issues.
The good news is that most of the time, the chest pain is only temporary. If you are able to find a coping strategy that works for you, the pain will go away quickly.
You can also try cognitive therapy to help you deal with the stress response. Cognitive therapy helps your brain learn to break the cycle of feeling afraid and anxious.
Depending on the cause of the anxiety, the chest pain can be mild, or it can be so severe that it causes you to go to the emergency room. When you go to the ER, you’ll be evaluated for other possible causes, such as heart disease.
