Can Anxiety Cause Chest Pains?

Why anxiety can cause chest discomfort

Anxiety can contribute to chest pain in several ways. When you’re anxious, your body’s stress response (sometimes called the fight-or-flight response) is activated. Adrenaline, a hormone that prepares you to respond to threatening situations, is released in your body. Your muscles tense up, your breathing quickens, and your heart rate increases. Although all of this is normal, it can result in some physical discomfort, particularly in your chest.

Muscular tension can make your chest feel constricted, as if you’re being squeezed. Meanwhile, rapid breathing (hyperventilation) can cause the muscles in the area to spasm. Arteries in your heart can also suddenly tighten when your nervous system is active, which can feel painful or uncomfortable. Some people even experience heart palpitations, a fluttering sensation in the chest.

Whether you’re experiencing pain or just an odd feeling in your chest, the sensation will likely only worsen your anxiety. Understanding the common symptoms of anxiety-related chest pain might help ease your mind. You can also learn several strategies to reduce the discomfort and manage your anxiety.

When to seek immediate medical help

If it’s your first time feeling chest pain and it comes on suddenly, consider seeking medical help. This is especially important if the pain starts to spread to your arms, shoulder, jaw, or back. Symptoms like dizziness and nausea are other warning signs that the problem might require urgent attention. If in doubt, call emergency services.

What anxiety chest pain feels like

Periods of intense anxiety, particularly panic attacks, can come with chest pain. In fact, somewhere between 22 to 70 percent of panic attacks involve chest pain. It’s not unusual for people to visit ERs due to the pain, fearing a heart attack, only to be told that panic is the root cause. Of course, chest pain can also occur if you’re dealing with other anxiety-related conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder.

Chest pain from anxiety can show up as:

• Tightness or a constricted feeling around the mid-chest
• Sudden, sharp stabbing sensations
• Muscle aches, particularly if you’re tensing up due to stress

This type of chest pain also comes with anxiety or panic symptoms like racing, fearful thoughts, hyperventilation, and tingling. If you’re experiencing a panic attack, the symptoms reach their peak within 10 to 20 minutes, and then they subside.

Anxiety chest pain or heart attack?

Heart attack chest pain is more intense, and often described as heavy, crushing pain. Typically, you feel it in the center or left side of your chest. The discomfort can radiate to other parts of your body as well, including your arms, back, shoulders, and jaw. Nausea, shortness of breath, sweating, and sudden dizziness are also common symptoms of a heart attack. In some cases, the signs can be extremely mild or barely noticeable, a condition known as a silent heart attack.

Because some of the signs overlap, you might initially feel uncertain whether the pain you’re experiencing is from a stress reaction or a heart attack. However, if the pain is intense and worsening, or comes with other heart attack symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

Coping with anxiety-related chest discomfort

If you’re confident that anxiety is the cause of your chest discomfort, you can try out several calming techniques for quick relief.

Deep breathing exercises. Experiment with different forms of breathing exercises, which can soothe your nervous system. For instance, practice inhaling slowly through your nose for four seconds, and then exhaling slowly through your mouth for eight seconds.

Grounding exercises. Use your senses to focus on the present moment and pull yourself away from that cycle of worrying. Take a moment to identify three things around you that you can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste. Ask yourself questions like, “What noises are going on in the background?” or “What does the object in my hand feel like?” Try to really immerse yourself in the sensation.

Progressive muscle relaxation. This relaxation practice involves tensing up different muscle groups and then releasing the tension. You might start with your toes and slowly work your way up your body. This might be particularly helpful if the chest pain is caused by tense muscles.

The following strategies can help you manage your anxiety in the long run.

Improve your sleep. Lack of sleep can make you feel more stressed out and anxious. Aim to improve your sleep hygiene so your mind and body get enough rest each night.

Stay physically active. Regular exercise can reduce your anxiety levels and improve your overall sense of well-being. You don’t necessarily need a gym membership to accomplish this. You can incorporate daily walks or weekly bike rides and swimming sessions into your schedule. Yoga is another option, and it can be especially helpful in managing your anxiety.

Find a therapist. If you often feel stressed or are dealing with an anxiety disorder, a therapist can offer you professional advice and strategies. Evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and exposure therapy, could provide a path toward better mental health. To help you get started, we’ve compiled information on some of the best online therapy platforms that can help you connect with a licensed professional.

Last updated or reviewed on January 6, 2026