When a person experiences high levels of anxiety for a prolonged period of time, the chances of suffering a heart attack can increase, especially if they have risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. This problem can cause very negative effects for the person, however, currently many people with anxiety lack the resources to deal with it in a healthy way. In these cases, its consequences can seriously affect the person’s lifestyle and the fear of suffering a heart attack.
Can I give myself a heart attack due to anxiety? In this Psychology-Online article we will answer all your doubts in this regard.
Is it possible to have a heart attack due to anxiety?
Anxiety can trigger symptoms that resemble a heart attack, but anxiety itself can’t cause a heart attack In a direct way. However, over time this disorder may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in people who already have underlying risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
Therefore, the chances of having a heart attack due to anxiety increase if a weakening of the cardiovascular system occurs. Below you will find the main risks of long-term anxiety:
- Cardiac disorders: heart rate can lead to arrhythmias, constant palpitations, hypertension, high blood flows, among others.
- Gastrointestinal discomfort: here we can find conditions such as indigestion or diarrhea.
- Ischemic heart disease: injury to blood vessels caused by clogged arteries.
In this article we explain the.
What anxiety feels like in the heart
Anxiety occurs in the human body and is especially felt in the heart, since it is the main organ that distributes blood to other sectors. In order to avoid further complications, below we show you what anxiety feels like in the heart:
- Elevated heart rate.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sudden chest pains.
- Tremors.
- Nervousness.
- Body agitation.
- Palpitations.
In the presence of any of these symptoms, it is essential to go to a medical consultation so that a health professional can evaluate the person’s clinical condition. This person will be in charge of rule out or confirm psychological factors that can alter the functioning of the cardiovascular system. In serious cases, these indicators are considered warning signs so that the person and their environment act in time.
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What to do if I have a heart attack due to anxiety
Having a heart attack can trigger serious health consequences, from physical problems to death. Therefore, if the signs that arise from anxiety are detected, it will be necessary to follow a series of guidelines aimed at caring for those who suffer. Next, we will find what to do if I have a heart attack due to anxiety:
Go to emergency services
Establishing direct contact with health professionals can help avoid further complications of serious conditions. Depending on the country, there is the possibility of requesting telephone assistance so that a doctor can come to the person’s home or go to a hospital to confirm the general condition.
Likewise, this alternative should always be used despite trying other ways to resolve the problem.
Control breathing
In a safe environment and away from external stimuli that could affect the respiratory and heart rate of the affected person, a relaxing diaphragmatic breathing. This should be done for several minutes until the acute episode completely subsides.
Here you will find some.
Seek containment
It is important ask for help to those people who can provide emotional support in these difficult times. In global terms, the closest family environment and friendships constitute the support and trust groups to get ahead. For this reason, going through these crises individually is not recommended.
Perform psychological therapy
Once the heart attack has been controlled, the anxiety that triggered this situation will need to be addressed. In this sense, psychological therapy provides tools to carry out moments of anxiety without the complications that had arisen previously.
A therapeutic device works with emotions, thoughts and behaviors that caused the outbreak of anxiety. It should be noted that there are various psychological factors that can negatively influence people’s physical health against their will.
Make a psychiatric consultation
Finally, in some cases the supply of anti-anxiety medications may work adequately because they reduce the recurrence of anxiety. However, their intake must be supervised by a mental health professional.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Wardrobe, P. (2003). Stress, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Annals of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery Journal, 9 (4), 226-234.
- Peña Coto, C., Ramírez Muñoz, J., Castro Vargas, F. (2012). Acute myocardial infarction due to work stress. Legal Medicine Magazine of Costa Rica, 29 (2), 111-119.