Published on: 5/6/2025
Anxiety can cause a tight feeling in the chest by making you breathe too quickly, increasing heart rate, and tensing your muscles, all of which create a sensation of constriction.
When you feel anxious, your body's "fight or flight" response kicks in. This response releases stress hormones like adrenaline that make your heart beat faster and can cause your muscles, including those in your chest, to tighten up. Because you might start to breathe more quickly or even hyperventilate, you can experience a feeling of not getting enough air. These changes can combine and create a sensation of tightness or pressure in your chest. Additionally, anxiety can lead to hypervigilance to normal heart or breathing sensations, meaning you're more aware of any changes in your body that might feel uncomfortable. This heightened awareness might make the tight feeling seem worse than it actually is. Often, these symptoms are not dangerous by themselves, but they can be distressing. Learning relaxation techniques, such as slow, deep breathing exercises or mindfulness, can help calm these responses. If chest tightness related to anxiety remains a concern, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional who can guide you on strategies for managing anxiety and help give you peace of mind.
(References)
Huffman JC, Pollack MH, Stern TA. Panic Disorder and Chest Pain: Mechanisms, Morbidity, and Management. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2002 Apr;4(2):54-62. doi: 10.4088/pcc.v04n0203. PMID: 15014745; PMCID: PMC181226.
White KS, Craft JM, Gervino EV. Anxiety and hypervigilance to cardiopulmonary sensations in non-cardiac chest pain patients with and without psychiatric disorders. Behav Res Ther. 2010 May;48(5):394-401. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2010.01.001. Epub 2010 Jan 11. PMID: 20110083; PMCID: PMC2862826.
de Heer EW, Palacios JE, Adèr HJ, van Marwijk HWJ, Tylee A, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM. Chest pain, depression and anxiety in coronary heart disease: Consequence or cause? A prospective clinical study in primary care. J Psychosom Res. 2020 Feb;129:109891. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109891. Epub 2019 Dec 10. PMID: 31865173.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.