[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines


Home
Jump To What's New
Search The Site
Sitemap
How To Gain Confidence
Boost Self Esteem
Improve Memory
Get Organized
Think Positive
Manage Stress
Control Anger
Beat Panic Attacks
Be Happy
Sleep Well
Resources Books and Audio
Interesting Articles
Useful Links
Self Hypnosis
Start a New Life!
Magical Wizard
Energy Dancing
Panic Products
Goodies Inspirational Icons
Uplifting Quotes
Tips and Tidbits
Inspiring Songs
Motivational Posters
About About The Site
Legal Privacy Policy
Copyright/Disclosure
Your Say Contact Us
Provide Feedback
YOUR Stories
Link To/From Us
Share Your Love

Stress and Chest Pain

On this page: Chest Pain Stress - a quick look at link between Stress and Chest Pain. Other signs of stress, and stress reducer techniques.

A chest pain anytime can be a real frightening experience; but it is heartening to know that such a pain may not always be heart related - and in fact is a much more common occurrence than a heart attack.

A recent Swedish research links stress and chest pain; in fact it relates chest pain to sedentary lifestyle, anxiety, stress and depression. A chest pain can be one of the many symptoms of stress.

Stress chest pain usually involves tightening of the chest; and the sensation, unfortunately, is similar to the one typically described for a heart attack. Little wonder that it freaks us out, if we ever had to experience such a thing!

And to make matters worse, the thought that it might be a heart attack unnerves us even more, stresses us further, increasing the chest pain even more.


Why Does Stress Chest Pain Occur?

man worried chest pain stress Why are stress and chest pain related?

We know that stress is caused when our brain perceives a threat, and releases stress hormones into our blood, in preparation for us to "fight or flee" from the threat.

One of the body's automatic reactions in line with this preparation is - the tightening of muscles.

And to state it simply - the muscles of our chest are no exception to this occurrence. And the part of the brain that receives pain signals from heart and chest are close to each other, causing us to mistake one for the other.

It is somewhat akin to the other common, but much more fatal, misunderstanding - of believing a real heart attack to be nothing more than an arm, neck or back pain.



How to Distinguish Stress Chest Pain from Heart Attack?

woman getting tested stress and chest pain There are some indicators.

If you have no obvious risk factors for heart disease - like family history, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking habits - and you lead a relatively active lifestyle, chances are higher that such a pain is not heart related.

And another thing to remember is, heart related chest pain almost always aggravates with any type of physical activity - sometimes even walking or climbing stairs - whereas the stress chest pain typically does not.

Of course, these tips come with the caveat that it is always, always advisable to get any chest pain examined by a professional - especially if it occurs for the first time - and have your doctor rule out heart as the cause of it.



Preventing A Heart Attack
This website offers free information to the general public about conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and other risk factors that lead to a heart attack. It helps the public become aware now rather than waiting until it is too late.

How To Treat Stress Chest Pain?

woman walking to prevent stress chest pain Once your doctor doesn't believe your pain has anything to do with heart, he may prescribe antacids and/or anti-inflammatory drugs, and suggest few stress reduction techniques.

As the Swedish research points out, the relationship between stress and chest pain is usually more prevalent in middle-aged people, who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

So if you lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle, it is a good idea to take a breather from what you are doing every so often, and get out there and get a wee bit of fresh air, or at least a little walk back and forth. This will help prevent the occurrence of such a stress chest pain in the future.

If you are interested in non-addictive, natural remedies for stress relief, you can try Nerve Tonic to Soothe Stress and Anxiety. Nerve Tonic is a natural remedy registered under U.S. FDA, that relieves the effects of stress, worry and nervous tension.


Return from Stress and Chest Pain Page
to Definition of Stress Home

Self Improvement Advice Home




How Exercise Relieves Stress

Other Signs of Stress

Ways to Deal With Stress

Stress Management Books and Audio


Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape


footer for stress and chest pain page