February 10th, 2010 
Peter Evans 
Constant chest tightness from anxiety is a prevalent symptom for those who live with mood disorders. The sufferer experiences a build up of pressure on his chest and often confuses this with a heart attack. Chest tightness is caused by artery construction, which causes the heart muscle to not be able to receive enough oxygen.
Any chest pain should be thoroughly investigated by a medical professional to rule out myocardial infarction (heart attack). Many medical conditions present with a symptom of chest pain, many quite serious, rule out all other possibilities.
How It Happens
Constant chest tightness from anxiety can occasionally bring about giddiness and a feeling that one is about to faint. The sufferer also experiences a shortness of breath as well as dry mouth and sweating. In extreme cases, these conditions can trigger the fight or flight response in the sufferer’s body.
This response is exaggerated in the phobic and creates feelings of despair and panic that spreads through the sufferer swiftly and begins to shut down rational thought processes. It is triggered by the release of extra amounts of epinephrine and norepinephrine into the brain; this is an unhealthy reaction to excess stress.
For people who are plagued by anxiety disorders, relaxation techniques are the panacea to their problem. Relaxation techniques serve as a form of distraction, and they pull the sufferer’s attention away from their perceived predicament. In most cases, the sufferer thinks that he is in trouble; this is however not acknowledged by others around him.
Epinephrine and norepinephrine control the pace at which the brain functions, excess of these chemicals causes the brain to perform at an accelerated level and the person soon becomes disoriented and confused. In extreme cases the person becomes frantic and uncontrolled. You must understand that this person, in their agitated state, truly feels that they are not going to survive, hence the panic.
Practicing Crisis Management
Typically, anxiety attacks can last up to 15 minutes although in extreme cases the victims endure the attacks for up to hours. The heart stabilises and normalcy in the victim’s mind is restored. The episode usually does not harm the victim physically, although mentally and emotionally he is traumatised. More often than not, when the episode ends the victim realises that his fears were unfounded. That being said, he has no control over them and thus cannot stop them. It is usually not the end of his nightmare; his anxiety attacks will strike again. Chest tightness from anxiety is not an illness on its own, though it can trigger and heighten one’s sense of fear.
One should take prompt action to keep his problem of constant chest tightness from anxiety to a minimum. Consult the expertise of a health care provider and come up with a health plan that will stop these episodes from happening. There are many courses of treatments such as natural remedies, behaviour modification and even medication.
On your part, you can try to recognise the different situations that seem to cause the attacks and avoid them as much as you can. You don’t have to battle this alone; reach out to the support groups that are in your vicinity. Control your anxiety and you can resume your normal and stress-free life again.
Trevor Mosley was once a chronic sufferer of anxiety and severe panic attacks. Click here if you want to discover how you too CAN overcome your anxiety forever. By taking action today you will be able to live a much better quality life. http://conqueranxietytoday.com
Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it,
Posted in 
Tags: 
