What Exactly Causes Anxiety Chest Pain?

[Chrissy364]

So we all know anxiety causes chest pain, but does anyone know what actually causes the pain? I know stress of course is bad for the body, but what is the medical explanation as to why anxiety causes such severe chest pain? If anyone knows whats going on inside the body to cause the pain, let me know! I'm very curious.

[Chrissy364]

Thanks for answering! I think what you said maid a whole lot of sense and I'm sure thats exactly what happening, just to my chest instead. Thanks! :)

[Chrissy364]

Thank you for taking time to respond! Your answer too was very detailed and informative. I agree  with you, I this question is a pretty complicated question to answer. Thanks! :)

[Chrissy364]

Thank you for your help. Your response was very clear and informative! Thanks! :)

[Paxiled]

Keep in mind there's no evidence neurotransmitters are out of balance with us.  The main source according to current research is something in the amygdala, but as that's in the primitive brain it's been hard to get to.  What is released is adrenaline and accompanying cortisol.  As for the chest pains, when you're anxious, you tighten up, and something is going to hurt.  For you it's the chest, for others it's muscle cramps in the toes.  But something has to give so the body can let us know we're doing something wrong to it, in this case being too anxious.  It's saying, hey, calm down, even though we don't know how to do that.

[anonymous680]

Well, if you think about it, when you have chest pain from anxiety, and catecholamines (adrenaline) and neurotransmitters (serotonin, gaba, etc) are likely off balancce. When your neurotransmitters aren't functioning correctly, you can experience anxiety or the flight or fight response for no apparent reason. This often raises your blood pressure, raises your pulse, raises your awareness of your surroundings, dilates your pupils, etc. Your body prepares to fight or flee from a physical threat that does not exist.

Now, when your blood pressure and pulse are raised for no reason, it's logical to me that you can experience chest pains. Your body is preparing you to run or fight, but you are just sitting there wondering what is happening.

Now, when you are in fight or flight mode, the last thing your body worries about is digestion. This could lead to non-cardiac pain such as heart burn and esophageal spasms. Muscles all around your body also constrict, and if they constrict around your chest, I would think it could give you a sensation as chest tightness or shortness of breath.

I think the answer to this question is fairly complicated, and I don't think much research has been done on this subject. From what I understand, these are my best guesses.

[awsome]

I once heard from a therapist. I inquired about some issues relating to my neck tension which I believed to come from the same cause as chest pain. He said daily stress and pressure can build up at vulnerable parts of our body. Once accumulated to a certain extent, physical pain is resulted. For me, I am suffering neck pain and my head stiffs all over when I create my own tension. So I suppose the vulnerable part of my body is my neck.!!