Stress Chest Pain
Stress And Chest Pain Facts
There are so many reasons why people have chest pain but many do not think stress and chest pain have anything to do with each other. In some cases the pain can be because of cardio or heart trouble. But in most cases stress is the direct cause of chest pain, so stress and chest pain are most definitely related.
Although chest pain is considered highly dangerous and very scary, a trip to the doctor is the safest way to rule out heart disease. But many times after cardio tests have came back negative, you are still left to wonder why you are feeling pain. The stress factors in your life may need to be eliminated. But they way this affects you is more important. The affects of stress and chest pain varies between men and women.
Men are often stressed out by their jobs and having to provide for their families. They are more likely to be affected by physical stress as oppose to mental stress. Some of the symptoms men have are chest pain, a pounding of the heart, headaches, fatigue and dizziness. Stress and chest pain in men can be from a heart condition. But most likely it is caused by a physical injury like a spinal injury or skeletal damage. These both can cause chest pains and all of these things have to be ruled out before a proper diagnosis can be given.
In women stress and chest pain usually comes from anxiety. Depression can also be a leading factor. Women have sharper pains that can mimic a heart attack. This is due to the way women handle stress. Anxiety related stress causes a flight or fight reaction in women. This brings on a chemical process that releases cortisone and adrenalin. Once in the bloodstream these chemicals make the muscles contract and tighten. You may start to breathe shorter and faster breaths and blood is directed to muscles for energy. The mere tightening of these muscles can cause severe pains in men or women.
There are also other reasons why both men and women suffer from stress and chest pain. Any blocked artery can make the chest area constricted and tight, resulting in a lack of oxygen. This pain is described as a pressure or vice like pain on the heart.
Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart may also cause extreme pain. This is called periconditis and it may become serious if it isn’t promptly treated. Usually taking an anti inflammatory drug can help correct this problem.
Musculoskeletal problems may have a direct connection with chest pain. Any injury to the chest area concerning muscles and the skeleton can cause chest pain. For example, a young child might complain of chest pains. It can be found out later that the child is injuring himself by the way he climbs trees or plays a certain sport. Just refraining form the activity is a good way to fix the problem but the pain may be more severe before it starts to heal. Because of the stress related to the injury the child may tense up and favor the painful area. Certain muscle relaxing drugs may be given to the child so that he can fully recover with out any more pain.
What we eat may be a source of chest pain. Because of a bad diet the gallbladder may become inflamed and infected. This condition causes chest pain. If we eat to close to bedtime or lay down right after eating we can get acid reflux. This affects the esophagus but the pain is felt in the chest area.
Since the reason for stress and chest pain varies, it’s a good idea to have a complete check up if pain arises.