Is that chest pain a heart attack? Use these symptoms to determine whether it is pain caused by anxiety or a heart attack. Is chest pain a heart attack? Understand from these symptoms whether it is nerve pain or heart attack.

Nowadays, due to busy life and increasing stress, the problem of chest pain has become quite common. As soon as most people feel even slight pain or heaviness in the chest, the first fear that comes to their mind is heart attack. But let us tell you that not every pain in the chest is due to heart disease. Sometimes severe chest pain can also occur due to excessive mental stress, overthinking and anxiety.

Since both conditions cause chest pain and discomfort, people often get confused. According to health experts, by paying attention to certain physical signs and symptoms, you can easily understand whether the pain is due to anxiety or a heart attack.

1. What is the chest pain caused by anxiety?

When you are very panic or worried about something, sudden pain may arise in the body:

• Type of pain: Anxiety pain usually feels like a sudden and sharp stabbing pain in the chest.

• Limited area: This pain is mostly limited to one particular part or point of the chest. It does not spread to other parts of the body.

• Other symptoms: Along with this, symptoms like sudden increase in breathing rate (hyperventilation), nervousness and sweating may be seen.

• Way to get relief: If you sit quietly, distract yourself or take deep breaths, then within a few minutes this pain and discomfort gradually starts reducing.

2. How is heart attack pain different and severe?

The pain that occurs during a heart attack is directly related to the heart and its symptoms are more severe:

• Type of pain: In this, instead of a prickling sensation, extreme heaviness, stiffness, squeezing sensation or very strong pressure (Pressure & Squeezing) is felt in the chest. It feels as if a heavy weight has been placed on the chest.

• Spread of pain: This pain is not limited to the chest only. It gradually starts radiating towards your left arm, both shoulders, neck, jaw, back and even upper abdomen.

• Other major symptoms: Along with pain, shortness of breath (severe difficulty in breathing), dizziness, nausea or vomiting, sudden feeling of weakness in the body and cold sweat are its main signs.

• steadily increasing: Instead of decreasing with time, this pain continues to increase. Resting, lying down or taking deep breaths does not provide any relief from this pain.

These people should not ignore chest pain at all

Although no one should ignore chest pain, people with the following conditions need to be extremely careful as they have a higher risk of heart attack:

• Those who have problems with high blood pressure (High BP), diabetes (sugar) or high cholesterol.

• People who are obese or have very little physical activity.

• People who smoke or consume tobacco regularly.

• Whose family already has someone with heart disease (Family History).

When should one go to the doctor? (When to See a Doctor)

If the chest pain persists for more than 5 to 10 minutes, continues to increase and the pain spreads to the arm, neck or jaw, without wasting a moment immediately contact the emergency department of the nearest hospital or call an ambulance.

Apart from this, if symptoms like cold sweat, inability to breathe or fainting are seen along with pain, then do not mistake it for anxiety. In such cases, only immediate medical aid can save life. At the same time, if you often have pain due to nervousness and stress, then definitely consult a doctor or mental health specialist.