Most people understand that anxiety is a mental health condition. It affects the brain so directly that it can actually impair the prefrontal cortex and release additional stress hormones, among other things.

But anxiety often directly impacts other areas of the body, too. You might notice your muscles tense up and ache when you’re anxious, or you might deal with digestive issues. While those problems can be concerning, anxiety can also take a toll on the heart.

Anxiety can cause you to have chest tightness or pain, or make it feel like your heart is pounding rapidly. These symptoms can be scary and could potentially have a lasting impact on your health.

Let’s take a closer look at how anxiety can affect your heart and what you can do to get the help you deserve.

Increased Heart Rate and Irregular Rhythms

When you feel anxious, your mind and body go into “fight or flight” mode. If you were in real danger, that would be a good thing. It’s a natural defense mechanism designed to keep you safe in risky situations. But, because anxiety is often manifested in the mind even when there is no real threat, being in that heightened state of awareness for too long can be dangerous.

First, it can cause your heart rate to increase. You might feel like you have to take more shallow breaths, or like your heart is racing and you can’t get it to stop. This is due to an increase in adrenaline.

Anxiety can also cause your heart to beat irregularly. That might feel like a fluttering in the chest, which can be a scary sensation.

It’s not uncommon for people with high anxiety to feel like they’re having a heart attack or other cardiovascular issues because of the discomfort and potential pain these changes can cause.

Risk of Heart Damage

Anxiety can potentially damage the heart if it’s not managed effectively. First, it can elevate your blood pressure. That puts a strain on your blood vessels and can negatively impact your cardiovascular health. Too much stress can also actually temporarily weaken your heart, putting you at a greater risk of a cardiovascular episode.

Finally, anxiety can cause inflammation of the heart if you experience it for long periods of time. This inflammation can lead to heart disease and a wide variety of additional health problems.

Be Aware of Your Symptoms

Again, it’s not uncommon for the effects of anxiety on the heart to feel severe. You might experience sharp pains or shortness of breathing, leading you to believe you’re having a heart attack. Even if you know it’s anxiety causing the problem, don’t take those symptoms lightly. Always get checked out by a medical professional if you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.

Dealing With Anxiety

If there’s any silver lining to anxiety, it’s that it’s often very manageable. Self-care habits like mindfulness, meditation, journaling, and physical exercise can make it easier to deal with anxious thoughts and fight back against the negative self-talk trying to invade your mind.

Most importantly, though, you should seek out the help of a professional if you’re struggling with anxiety. It’s not always easy to get rid of anxious thoughts on your own. Anxiety therapy can help you better understand where your anxiety stems from. That allows you to fight back from the ground up, taking steps forward on a healing journey that will make it easier to manage your symptoms while conquering anxious thoughts for good.

Don’t risk putting your overall health in jeopardy because of anxiety. If you’re ready to take charge of your mental well-being, contact me today to set up an appointment.