There’s a wide range of causes for chest pain, some serious (like a heart attack) and some not necessarily serious, but painful (like heartburn). If you have even a germ of a worry that you’re having a heart attack, call 911 or go to the emergency room ASAP.
Considering that chest pain has so many potential causes, it’s natural to wonder how doctors pinpoint the root cause—especially since it must be done quickly. Here, cardiologists share the first question they ask someone who says their chest feels tight and explain what to do to feel better both in the moment and if it happens regularly.
Dr. Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health and the founder of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health at NYU Langone, says that when someone tells her they are experiencing chest tightness, the first question she asks them is where exactly they are feeling the tightness. This, she explains, is the first step in figuring out the cause.
Related: The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do If You Wake Up With Chest Pain
“I also ask whether it is associated with symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, dizziness or pain that spreads to the jaw, shoulder or arm. Those answers help determine how urgently the person needs further evaluation,” Dr. Rozanski says.
One often overlooked cause of chest tightness is anxiety. “Anxiety is certainly a common cause of chest tightness, but it should not automatically be assumed to be the cause. Before attributing symptoms to anxiety, it's important to consider and, when appropriate, rule out heart disease and other medical conditions that can produce similar symptoms,” Dr. Rozanski explains.
Related: The Silent Symptom Most People Don't Realize Could Be a Heart Issue, According to Cardiologists
Why Does Anxiety Cause Chest Tightness?
Dr. Rozanski says this too, sharing, “Anxiety can activate the body's ‘fight-or-flight’ response. Stress hormones, such as adrenaline, increase heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension throughout the body, including the muscles of the chest wall. Many people also begin breathing faster or more deeply than normal."
?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
If anxiety is causing your chest to feel tight, Dr. Rozanski recommends trying to take slow, controlled breaths, making the exhale slightly longer than the inhale. This, he explains, calms the nervous system, which will reduce heart rate and blood pressure and make that feeling of chest tightness go away.
If anxiety is causing you to experience chest tightness on a regular basis, Dr. Goldberg says it’s important to see your healthcare provider about it. After ruling out any cardiac issues, your doctor may connect you to a mental health provider who can help teach you how to manage anxiety in healthy ways so it doesn’t reach the point where it manifests as physical symptoms.
“The most effective prevention is treating the underlying anxiety rather than just managing individual episodes,” he notes. This means getting good sleep, practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques and maintaining strong social connections, which can all reduce the frequency of anxiety symptoms. He adds that regular physical activity may also help alleviate anxious feelings in some people, while also benefiting heart health.
Remember, always take chest pain seriously and don’t assume you know the cause. Leave the diagnosing to doctors. That way, you can be sure to get the most effective treatment possible.
Related: Doctors Say This Is the Only Type of Magnesium Worth Taking for Anxiety
Sources:
Chest Pain. Cleveland Clinic.Heart attack symptoms: Know what’s a medical emergency. Mayo Clinic.Dr. Nieca Goldberg, MD, cardiologist at NYU Langone Health and the founder of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health at NYU Langone.Dr. Alan Rozanski, MD, cardiologist and a professor of medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Anxiety vs. Chest Pain: How to Tell the Difference. iCare ER & Urgent Care.Katon, W. (1984). Panic disorder and somatization. The American Journal of Medicine. 77(1):101-106.Hence then, the article about i m a cardiologist this is the first thing i ask when someone says their chest feels tight was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘I’m a Cardiologist—This Is the First Thing I Ask When Someone Says Their Chest Feels Tight' )
Also on site :
- Netflix sued for $105M by billionaire movie producer after his unreleased Nicolas Cage thriller goes missing
- We Asked 4 Psychologists What Usually Causes Adult Siblings To Drift Apart—They All Said the Same Thing
- ‘The Walking Dead’ Franchise to Stream on Both Netflix and AMC+ Beginning in 2027 Under New $500 Million Deal