What you need to know
- Tightness in your chest could be a sign of something as simple as anxiety, but it could also indicate a more severe condition.
- This could also be caused by a wide range of medical conditions, so it’s important to investigate further if you are suffering from chest tightness.
- If the pain is severe or getting worse, you should always prioritise getting help rather than trying to rule out something more severe.
One of the most common symptoms of anxiety is a tight chest and a fluttering heart.
While anxiety related tightness of the chest is nothing to worry about, it can also mimic the signs of a more severe condition.
This could lead you to dismiss your symptoms and ignore something more serious.
Anxiety-related chest tightness is usually harmless, but it can mimic more serious conditions.
In this short guide, we’ll explore the potential causes of chest tightness, along with some additional symptoms to look out for.
With this information, you can make an informed choice about when to take action.
Causes of a tight feeling in the chest
A tight feeling in the chest can be caused by many different things.
The feeling could feel restrictive, like you cannot take a deep breath, or it could feel like there is something sitting on your chest.
In the majority of cases, it will be nothing to worry about, but there are some instances you would want to pay attention and take action.
Some other causes of a tight chest include:
Lung conditions
If you are suffering from a lung condition such as pneumonia or asthma, you might experience a tight feeling in your chest.
This could also be the case with a pulmonary embolism, but this would be a sudden and severe change.
Heart conditions
Angina is a common condition that mimics the feeling of a heart attack.
A heart attack would also cause tightness in the chest, but this would be accompanied by a crushing pain that also radiates to the arms and/or the jaw.
Pericarditis would also cause a sharp pain in the chest that gets worse with deep breaths.
Digestive issues
Acid reflux and stomach ulcers could also cause a sensation of tightness in the chest.
Interestingly, these may be linked back to stress and anxiety, as reflux and ulcers are a symptom of stress.
Muscle issues
If you have strained a muscle in your back, shoulder or ribs, this can lead to a feeling that is similar to tightness in the chest.
It can make it difficult to breathe and this can be mistaken for other conditions.
The pain may also radiate to another area, making it difficult to identify the origin and the cause.
Signs it’s anxiety and not something else
Learning how to identify when your chest tightness is caused by anxiety and not something else can help you in multiple ways.
First, it will prevent you from becoming more panicked and increase your sense of anxiety.
It can also stop you from treating every anxious outburst like a medical emergency.
Tightness in the chest caused by anxiety will typically feel like this:
- The feeling might be sharp or stabbing, or it might feel like a band tightening around your chest.
- It can be triggered by high stress situations, fear or panic attacks.
- It is usually short in duration, lasting for around 10 minutes before it subsides.
- It might be accompanied by other symptoms of anxiety such as dizziness, a rapid heart rate, increased sweating and a feeling of being out of control.
Tightness in the chest caused by anxiety is usually short in duration and can be triggered by stress.
Breathing exercises can often help you to control your anxiety, but this might feel more difficult when your chest feels tight.
Grounding exercises can help you to feel safe and alleviate any feelings of anxiety you might have.
You can also speak to your doctor about treating anxiety with medication.
Frequently asked questions
Why does stress cause chest tightness?
This is caused by a flood of adrenaline and cortisol which changes your heart rate and blood pressure.
When should I call a doctor?
If your chest tightness is severe or getting worse, treat it as a medical emergency.
How can I reduce anxiety in my life?
Reducing anxiety will often require a combination of talk therapy, changing habits and adopting new routines that help you to better manage your feelings.
