Table of Contents
- What Is Stress Pain & What Are the Symptoms?
- Is All Stress Bad?
- Can Stress Cause Heart Pain?
- Can Stress Cause Cardiac Arrest?
- How Do I Treat Stress Sickness?
Everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives, but can stress cause heart pain and other health-related issues? When stress starts to impact your health, it may be time to start managing the causes of stress in your life to minimize the risk of stress-induced heart problems in the future.
According to the American Institute of Stress, 75% to 90% of doctor visits have a stress-related component. Further, chronic stress can lead to a multitude of health problems that have been linked with heart failure in the long run.
Read on for a more in-depth look at the answer to, “Can stress cause heart pain?” and learn how to recognize and treat the symptoms of stress.
What Is Stress Pain & What Are the Symptoms?
Stress pains are physical symptoms of pain that come on when a person is experiencing stress. Symptoms vary from person to person. In fact, some people who experience stress daily may no longer notice the symptoms as they become part of daily life. Those who are often under stress may experience physical symptoms, including:
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- An upset stomach
- Trouble sleeping
- High blood pressure
During times of stress, the body’s fight-or-flight response releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, according to Parkridge Health System. These symptoms don’t bode well for a person’s long-term health, and most go away when a person stops feeling stressed.
Ongoing nausea and suppressed appetite, for instance, can deprive the body of the nutrients it needs to function. In other words, the immune system loses its ability to function properly, which increases a person’s chances of catching other illnesses. Lack of sleep means the body has less opportunity to repair itself.
Is All Stress Bad?
There is good stress that your body needs as well. Often this good stress, or eustress, can actually help combat bad stress in your life. According to the American Institute of Stress, eustress can help your emotional health when challenging new tasks occur and your physical wellbeing when working out.
Engaging in hobbies or pursuits that positively push your boundaries can alleviate the negative effects of stress. Whether it’s taking up a new sport or hobby or even embarking on a challenging project at work, these experiences provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that counterbalances the pressures of daily life.
It can be difficult to determine where your stress stems from. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our infographic for our top stress-busting tips.
Additionally, cultivating a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth can shift your perspective on stress entirely. Instead of viewing obstacles as such, you can see them as chances to learn, adapt, and thrive.
By leaning more into eustress, you empower yourself to navigate life’s ups and downs with greater resilience and confidence — without the harmful side effects of too much stress!
Can Stress Cause Heart Pain?
Stress can cause your muscles to become tense and, over time, lead to pain and soreness in virtually any part of the body. Kaiser Permanente lists the neck, back, and shoulders as the most common carriers of stress-related aches and pains in the body. It can also:
- raise your heart rate
- cause rapid, shallow breathing, making you feel dizzy or lightheaded
- cause non-cardiac chest pain, which, according to Cleveland Clinic, masquerades as heart pain but is actually in the lungs, esophagus or musculoskeletal tissue surrounding the heart
That said, there are many causes of heart pain that are not due to stress. If in doubt about whether someone is experiencing a heart attack or another type of chest pain, call for medical help and follow guidance before starting CPR.
Defining Noncardiac Chest Pain
Noncardiac chest pain refers to discomfort or pain felt in the chest that is not caused by heart-related problems. Instead, it may stem from other sources, including the lungs, esophagus, or musculoskeletal structures surrounding the heart.
This type of pain can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, leading to confusion and anxiety for the individual experiencing it.
Understand the symptoms of a heart attack so you know the difference with our Heart Attacks video.
Cardiac vs. Noncardiac Chest Pain
Distinguishing between cardiac and noncardiac chest pain is critical for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Cardiac pain, often referred to as angina or ischemic chest pain, typically arises from issues directly affecting the heart’s blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease or a history of heart attacks.
In coronary artery disease, the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. Diminished blood flow can result in chest pain or discomfort, known as angina, particularly during physical exertion or emotional stress.
On the contrary, noncardiac chest pain originates from factors unrelated to the heart’s blood vessels or muscle tissue. Noncardiac chest pain may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, leading to diagnostic challenges and heightened anxiety for patients.
The most common signs and symptoms of cardiac pain include a heaviness or squeezing in the chest, shortness of breath, pain traveling to the neck jaw, left arm, indigestion, sweating, pain between the shoulder blades, unexplained tiredness, and denial.
Careful evaluation by healthcare professionals, including a thorough medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, can help differentiate between cardiac and noncardiac causes of chest pain.
Noncardiac Chest Pain Causes & Symptoms
Noncardiac chest pain can stem from a wide range of underlying causes, each with its own set of symptoms and diagnostic considerations.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a common cause of noncardiac chest pain, occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, leading to irritation and inflammation. Symptoms may include heartburn, regurgitation of sour or bitter-tasting fluid into the mouth, difficulty swallowing, or a feeling of food sticking in the chest or throat.
Musculoskeletal causes of noncardiac chest pain, such as costochondritis or intercostal muscle strain, often present with sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens with movement or deep breathing.
Understanding the difference between cardiac and noncardiac chest pain can be the difference between a pleasant day and a trip to the emergency room. Learn what to look for in our comprehensive, downloadable PDF.
Anxiety or panic attacks may manifest with chest tightness, shortness of breath, palpitations, sweating, dizziness, or a sense of impending doom. Inflammatory conditions affecting the chest wall, such as pleurisy or pericarditis, can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain exacerbated by breathing or changes in body position.
It’s essential to consider these diverse potential causes when evaluating noncardiac chest pain to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Broken Heart Syndrome
Broken heart syndrome, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a condition characterized by a temporary dysfunction of the heart muscle.
Broken heart syndrome results from a surge of stress hormones affecting the heart’s ability to pump effectively.
Despite its name, broken heart syndrome does not involve blockages in the coronary arteries, as seen in a typical heart attack.
Symptoms of broken heart syndrome often mimic those of a heart attack and may include:
- sudden chest pain or discomfort
- shortness of breath
- palpitations
- nausea
- vomiting
- fainting
Diagnostic tests, such as an ECG, cardiac enzymes, and imaging studies can help differentiate broken heart syndrome from other cardiac conditions.
With appropriate medical management and supportive interventions, most individuals with broken heart syndrome experience full recovery within weeks to months. However, ongoing monitoring and lifestyle modifications to reduce stress and promote heart health can prevent recurrence.
Can Stress Cause Cardiac Arrest?
Short-term stress does not cause cardiac arrest. However, stress can cause heart pain by exacerbating existing heart conditions. If your heart is already working harder than it should be due to a health condition, stress will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the condition.
Additionally, stress triggers the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which, when constantly elevated, can damage blood vessels and the heart muscle, increasing susceptibility to cardiac events.
Long-term effects of stress can cause heart degradation. One study found patients with stress-related disorders or anxiety have an increased rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
The high blood pressure that often accompanies a stressful life can pose a risk for heart attack and stroke. Another study from 2017 used images of part of the brain involved with fear and stress and found links between stress and cases of cardiovascular disease.
Chronic stress also leads to unhealthy lifestyle choices like poor diet, lack of exercise, and increased alcohol or tobacco consumption, all of which strain the cardiovascular system.
While acute stress may not directly cause cardiac arrest, its cumulative effects pose a significant threat to heart health.
For further insights into heart health and understanding the dynamics of cardiac arrest, explore our comprehensive guide.
How Do I Treat Stress Sickness?
The best way to prevent stress sickness is to minimize the levels of stress encountered in day-to-day life.
In this case, stress prevention is better than focusing on a cure.
It would be impossible to remove stress from life completely, so it’s important to manage it with a variety of techniques:
- Exercise regularly. Physical activity helps release endorphins, the body’s natural mood lifters. Regular exercise not only improves physical health but also reduces the symptoms of stress. Activities like walking, jogging, yoga, or dancing can be particularly effective in relieving stress.
- Adopt mindfulness practices. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help calm the mind and reduce stress levels. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment, focusing on thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. Meditation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or guided imagery promote relaxation and reduce the physiological effects of stress.
- Add more nutrients to your diet. A balanced diet plays a crucial role in managing stress. Eating various nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provides the body with the necessary fuel to cope with stress. Avoiding excessive caffeine, sugar, and processed foods can help stabilize mood and energy levels.
- Get good sleep. Adequate sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being. Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can exacerbate stress symptoms. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment can promote restorative sleep and alleviate stress.
- Manage your time effectively. Feeling overwhelmed by a busy schedule can contribute to stress. Implementing time management techniques such as prioritizing tasks, breaking large projects into smaller steps, and setting realistic goals can help reduce feelings of pressure and increase productivity.
- Lean into your social support. Building strong social connections and maintaining supportive relationships can buffer the effects of stress. Spending time with friends, family, or supportive peers provides emotional validation, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging. Engaging in meaningful social activities can also distract from stressors and promote feelings of happiness and fulfillment.
- Shut off and relax. Incorporating relaxation techniques into daily life can counteract the physiological responses to stress. Techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, or visualization techniques can induce relaxation and reduce muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure.
- Seek professional help. If stress becomes overwhelming or persistent, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor can provide additional support and guidance. Therapy sessions can offer coping strategies, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and a safe space to explore and address underlying stressors or emotional issues.
If you’re experiencing signs of stress sickness or stress is causing you heart pain, remove yourself from the stressful situation, find an environment in which you feel calm, and seek medical attention.
If someone is presenting symptoms of cardiac arrest, make sure you know when to perform CPR and when to seek medical assistance. If in doubt, always call for professional medical help and follow their guidance to avoid unnecessary harm.
If you’re still wondering, “Can stress cause heart pain?,” just know that stress can both cause short-term heart pain and lead to long-term health conditions. Knowing how to mitigate stress, identify heart pain caused by cardiac arrest, and perform CPR when needed can put you in the best position to jump into action in a medical emergency.
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