Anxiety is a common condition that involves constant worry and nervousness. Many people experience short bursts of anxiety when faced with stressful situations. However, for some, anxiety becomes an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations. Constant anxiety can have long-term effects on one’s health if left untreated. One of the most concerning potential effects is the increased risk of heart attack.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety refers to excessive fear or worry that impacts daily living. While a low level of anxiety can be healthy or even beneficial at times, severe or chronic anxiety is not. Anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For those with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can worsen over time. The symptoms can be severe and unrelenting.
Anxiety can occur without an obvious cause or in response to specific triggers. Common types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Treatment often involves therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Lifestyle changes like getting regular exercise and avoiding alcohol and smoking can also help.
Symptoms of anxiety
Signs and symptoms of anxiety can include:
- Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
- Having a sense of impending danger or doom
- Trouble concentrating
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Trouble sleeping
The symptoms may start suddenly, seem to come out of nowhere, and can range from mild to debilitating. Episodes often peak within minutes. Common triggers include public speaking, tests, important events, or thoughts of personal problems.
How does anxiety relate to heart health?
While anxiety itself may not directly damage the heart, it can contribute to behaviors and physiological changes that negatively impact cardiovascular health. Things like diet, exercise, sleep habits, alcohol use, smoking, weight gain, and failure to take medications as prescribed can all be affected.
Additionally, when anxiety occurs, surges in stress hormones like adrenaline increase blood pressure and heart rate. If extreme anxiety is frequent or persists for a long time, it can put strain on the heart muscle. Unmanaged anxiety also leads to inflammation throughout the body, which can damage blood vessels.
Some small studies have shown that people with anxiety disorders have an increased risk for coronary heart disease. However, more research is still needed to confirm a direct link.
Ways anxiety may lead to heart issues
Here are some specific ways anxiety could potentially contribute to a heart attack:
- Increased blood pressure – Anxiety activates the body’s fight or flight response, releasing adrenaline that makes the heart pump faster and harder. Over time, this taxes the cardiovascular system.
- Atherosclerosis – Chronic anxiety and inflammation promotes plaque buildup inside blood vessels.
- Blood clots – Anxious people may have thicker, stickier blood more prone to clotting.
- Arrhythmias – Stress hormones released by anxiety can disrupt the heart’s natural rhythm in some people.
- Unhealthy coping behaviors – Anxiety often leads to poor diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, and lack of exercise.
While frightening in the moment, most severe anxiety is not directly life-threatening. However, when anxiety becomes an engrained, untreated part of someone’s life, it takes a toll on long-term heart health.
Can anxiety symptoms mimic heart attack?
Sometimes what feels like heart attack symptoms is simply a panic attack. The chest pain, shortness of breath, and racing heart can be similar. However, there are a few key differences:
Heart attack symptoms
- Chest pain or discomfort that does not go away with rest
- Pain that spreads to shoulders, neck, arms, back, or jaw
- Dizziness or nausea along with chest pain
- Shortness of breath that persists or worsens with activity
Panic attack symptoms
- Chest pain that comes and goes
- Tingling sensations or numbness in hands and feet
- Feelings of choking or smothering
- Dizziness or chills
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
The biggest difference is that heart attack pain and symptoms continue unabated. With panic attacks, the symptoms usually peak rapidly but then taper off.
What role does stress play?
Stress and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. Stress involves response to external pressures, while anxiety is an internalized, sustained fear response. When stress becomes excessive and turns to anxiety, it can have the same effects:
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Higher inflammatory markers
- Increased tendency for blood clotting
- Unhealthy coping habits like overeating, smoking, or drinking
Studies clearly show links between stress, heart health, and heart attacks. Long periods under stress increase the risk for hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and sudden cardiac events.
Managing stress through regular exercise, healthy diet, good sleep habits, and Relaxation techniques like meditation helps keep anxiety and its physical effects in check. If stress becomes overwhelming, seeking professional treatment is important.
What should you do if you suspect a heart attack?
If symptoms come on suddenly and might signal a heart attack, take quick action:
- Call emergency services immediately, don’t delay
- Take any aspirin or nitroglycerin if previously prescribed by a doctor
- Try to stay calm until help arrives
- Don’t drive yourself to the hospital
- Answer questions clearly and follow emergency operator’s instructions
Calling 911 to access emergency medical care can greatly improve survival and recovery. Ambulances have equipment and personnel trained to provide treatment right away. Going to the emergency room gives access to things like EKGs, blood tests, oxygen support, and medications needed in a heart attack.
Warning signs that require an ER visit
- Chest pain, tightness, or pressure
- Jaw, neck, back, arm, or stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating or “cold sweat”
- Nausea, dizziness, feeling faint
- Racing or irregular heartbeat
If you ever suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911. Minutes matter, so don’t delay seeking emergency care even if you are unsure.
Conclusion
While anxiety doesn’t directly cause heart attacks, untreated anxiety that persists for a long time does raise heart risks. Things like elevated blood pressure, inflammation, poor health habits, and arrhythmias are tied to anxiety. Acute anxiety can also mimic certain heart attack symptoms. Managing anxiety through lifestyle changes and professional treatment is important to maintain heart health. If you ever experience symptoms of a possible heart attack, call emergency services immediately.