Can anxiety cause angina like symptoms

[Cat_Mag]

I am 50 years old woman and in general good health. For the past 8 years I have had symptoms like angina when exercising. I get a pain or discomfort in my left arm (or chest or jaw) when exercising, especially walking up a hill). I have had many tests over the years, including stress ECG's, Echos and Cardiac MRI but nothing has shown up. These symptoms cause extra anxiety to my already anxious life.

To add to these symptoms, lately I noticed I am more breathlessness when walking but I have had a particularly stressful time recently so I think I maybe hyperventilating more.

I was wondering if anyone else experience symptoms like angina from anxiety but yet not have angina or heart disease?

[RubyWitch]

You're very welcome and I hope we did help, even if only in a small way.
Please remember that we are always here if you need to talk....24/7
Warmly,
RW

[RubyWitch]

I can understand you not wanting to look like a hypochondriac, I have the same "problem," but I've gotten to the age that I don't care what they write in my chart! When they tell me everything is OK, then they're doing their job, which my insurance pays them adequately for and I come away with peace of mind. I would urge you to never hesitate to see your doctor if you're concerned about something. Far better to be safe than sorry! You say your last test was this past summer, but since then you've noticed a change.......your doctor should know about this. Anxiety can and does cause many physical symptoms..........which stress and worry will exacerbate. Have you discussed your anxiety with your doctor? That might be a good thing to add to the agenda.
Please write to us any time. Sometimes those of us with anxiety, and especially health anxiety, can find great comfort just sharing with other people who really understand you.
I wish you the very best
RubyWitch    

[Cat_Mag]

Thanks RubyWitch, I have found it helpful to share and get responses from people who understand.

[Cat_Mag]

Thanks LRon for the good wishes and sharing. Did you ever experience pain or any sensation in your arm or chest with the exercise? At a level I can understand the breathlessness but the sensation or pain is what concerns me.

[Cat_Mag]

I have gone to my doctor so often over the years and each time the stress test comes back ok, I am hesitant to go again. I had my last stress test last summer. I think I maybe breathing the wrong way due to tension in my body and my over sensitive body and anxious mind are amplifying the pain. But of course the worry about this doesnt help.Thank you for taking the time  to listen and respond.

[brice1967]

I'm sorry that you are dealing with this.  As someone whose battled anxiety for years, I can tell you that anxiety can manifest in many ways and cause many different symptoms.  

what I would do is check with your physician and have a physical to rule out any other causes for the symptoms you are currently experiencing.  Once those are ruled out, you can key in on the symptoms themselves.  

There are so many things one can do to battle anxiety but the most important thing is to follow the direction of your physician.  if you feel it necessary to get a second opinion, please do so.  Anything to put your mind at ease.  Things like mild/moderate exercise, awareness training, meditation may also help.  I started using 'awareness" and it worked wonders.  it often helps point to what it is that is causing the anxiety... and of course, concerns about your health can be a big cause.

Try to relax, get a second opinion and study up on the subject.  there are a lot of things one can do, you just have to find what works for you.

Good luck,.

[LRon]

I am a male about your age, and have had experiences similar to yours -- in particular, breathlessness and hyperventilation when walking, mostly uphill and especially going up stairs. I have had three stress echoes and everything has come back fine each time. I know that in my case, at least part of my problem is being out of shape.

I assume some of the cardiac tests you referred to have happened recently. If so, it's probably not a cardiac issue, otherwise something should have shown up on at least one of those tests. Besides, you've been having these issues for the last eight years and you're still here! So your symptoms are probably poor breathing/anxiety related.

I wish I could give you more insights, but anxiety and its effects on the body is a mystery to me too. I wish you all the best!

[RubyWitch]

Do you feel the chest and arm pain only while exercising/walking? If that IS the case, I would definitely urge you to see your cardiologist about this. It is logical to assume that if you're walking briskly, your breathing will increase, but if you aren't breathing "correctly," through your nose and exhaling through your mouth, you COULD be hyperventilating which can cause your symptoms and being anxious certainly does not help. Do these symptoms disappear when you stop or slow down? Regardless of what other people may experience, any time exercise causes you to have chest and/or arm pain, it's time to talk to your doctor about the cause. It could be hyperventilation, but you'd feel better if other issues were ruled out.
I wish you the best
RubyWitch

[RubyWitch]

I don't understand where or why all those hash tags and numbers are in my post.........I hope you can read "around" them.............I see they are in yours as well. Perhaps a problem with MedHelps system?
RW

[Cat_Mag]

Thank you for your reply, I can read it but I also see those tags.
My head says there is nothing wrong with me but when I experience symptoms it creates doubts. I want to trust the health tests but I was just wondering if others with anxiety have experienced hyperventilation while walking and feel chest or arm pain?  

[RubyWitch]

Anxiety, as you know, CAN cause chest pains, but you've had a number of excellent cardiac work ups over the last several years that have ruled out any type of cardiac problem. You say you've been feeling more breathlessness when walking lately, but also that you've been through a stressful time recently.
I wish I could offer you the reassurance you're looking for, but none of us are doctors on this forum and no doctor would ever diagnose you over the internet.
Your increase in breathlessness could, indeed, be related to your recent stresses, but only your cardiologist can tell you for sure. For your peace of mind, I would strongly urge you to see your doctor and discuss this with him/her.........the anxiety of not knowing could easily exacerbate this condition, which is the last thing you want. I'm sure it's nothing but you need your doctor to tell you that.......not me.
I wish you the very best
RubyWitch