When we discuss anxiety, we often think about its emotional and mental impacts. You know, those feelings that can really drain you mentally. But here's the thing: anxiety disorders also come with a host of physical symptoms that can catch you off guard. Research indicates that anxiety is a common underlying factor in many patients presenting with chest pain, often leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning [1].
Let's dive into some common physical effects that anxiety can have on your body, and how they might escalate into a panic attack.
1. Chest Pain & Heart Palpitations
This can be pretty alarming, making you think you're having a heart attack — but that's usually not the case. Anxiety can trigger a rapid heart rate as part of the body's fight-or-flight response, which raises blood pressure and can lead to feelings of chest pain. In fact, panic attacks can mimic the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome, causing confusion and fear in many individuals [2].
2. Shortness of Breath
Anxiety can create a sensation of pressure on your chest, leading to shortness of breath. You might notice your breathing feels shallow and labored, which can make you hyper-aware of your breathing patterns, causing you to over-breathe. This symptom is often associated with panic disorder, where individuals may experience significant respiratory distress during episodes [5].
3. Hot Flushes and Sweats
During a panic attack, your body temperature may spike. To cool down, your body starts sweating, which, oddly enough, can leave you feeling cold and shivery afterward. This physiological response is part of the body's acute stress reaction, which can lead to a cycle of discomfort and anxiety [4].
4. Dizziness
Panicking releases a surge of adrenaline, causing your heart to pump harder and your blood pressure to rise. This spike can lead to dizziness and a feeling of lightheadedness, which is often reported by individuals with panic disorder. Studies have shown that psychological factors can significantly influence pain levels and sensations of dizziness in these patients [3].
5. Hearing Sensations
Anxiety can sometimes make it hard to focus on the usual sounds around you. Interestingly, during heightened states of anxiety, you might become overly aware of sounds that typically fade into the background. This hyper-awareness is a common symptom during anxiety episodes and can contribute to the overall feeling of being overwhelmed.
6. Blurred Vision
A common response to adrenaline is blurred vision. Your pupils dilate to let in more light, making you more alert. However, too much light can lead to a fuzzy visual experience, often accompanied by hyperventilation. This visual disturbance is another way the body reacts to stress and anxiety [5].
7. Disturbing Thoughts
Anxiety often triggers a cascade of worst-case scenario thinking. If you find yourself in a stressful situation for the first time, it's normal for your mind to race and overthink the possible outcomes. Understanding these cognitive patterns is essential for managing anxiety effectively.
Understanding these physical symptoms is crucial, especially if you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety. If you're looking for help, consider taking advantage of online doctor consultations. You can talk to an AI doctor or even a chat doctor for immediate support. Whether it's an online AI doctor or a traditional online doctor, there are plenty of options to help you manage your anxiety effectively.
References:
- Jill Nault Connors, Kurt Kroenke, Patrick Monahan, Yelena Chernyak, Kate Pettit, Julie Hayden, Chet Montgomery, George Brenner, Michael Millard, Emily Holmes, Paul Musey. Comparing the effectiveness of existing anxiety treatment options among patients evaluated for chest pain and anxiety in the emergency department setting: Study protocol for the PACER pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness trial.. PubMed. 2023.
- Gastão L F Soares-Filho, Oscar Arias-Carrión, Gaetano Santulli, Adriana C Silva, Sergio Machado, Alexandre M Valenca, Antonio E Nardi. Chest pain, panic disorder and coronary artery disease: a systematic review.. PubMed. 2014.
- Guillaume Foldes-Busque, Stéphanie Hamel, Geneviève Belleville, Richard Fleet, Julien Poitras, Jean-Marc Chauny, Alain Vadeboncoeur, Kim L Lavoie, André Marchand. Factors associated with pain level in non-cardiac chest pain patients with comorbid panic disorder.. PubMed. 2016.
- Julio Schwarz, Adesh Prashad, David E Winchester. Prevalence and implications of severe anxiety in a prospective cohort of acute chest pain patients.. PubMed. 2015.
- Guillaume Foldes-Busque, Isabelle Denis, Julien Poitras, Richard P Fleet, Patrick Archambault, Clermont E Dionne. A prospective cohort study to refine and validate the Panic Screening Score for identifying panic attacks associated with unexplained chest pain in the emergency department.. PubMed. 2013.