Does Anxiety Cause Chest Pain and Other Symptoms?

Taylor Shaw
Published: 04/23/2025 | Updated: 01/22/2026
Authored by: Taylor Shaw, B.S.
Edited by: Rey-Phillip Genaldo, LMFT

Chest pain is a common physical symptom of anxiety, in addition to other symptoms like raised heart rates, shortness of breath, hyperventilation and more. Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure and heart rate; it’s considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat.1 Anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways, from anxiety attacks, enacting the fight-or-flight response, to raised heart rates and cortisol (a stress hormone). AMFM Mental Health Treatment has over a decade of experience treating anxiety disorders, and offers a free anxiety hotline that’s available 24/7.

man clutching his chest after a run, begging the question, "Does anxiety cause chest pain?"

Key Takeaways

  • Yes — anxiety can cause chest pain as part of the body’s stress response when the nervous system shifts into fight‑or‑flight mode.
  • Anxiety‑related chest pain often comes with symptoms like shortness of breath, palpitations, muscle tension, and chest tightness.
  • Chest pain can also signal heart or cardiovascular conditions, so it’s vital to seek medical assessment before attributing it solely to anxiety.
  • Managing anxiety via evidence‑based treatments (therapy, medication when needed), plus wellness practices (breathing exercises, journaling, sleep hygiene) can reduce the frequency and severity of chest pain.

Table of Contents

What Are the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety?

Anxiety can manifest in many physical ways throughout the body, depending upon the person and the situation. Because anxiety activates the fight-or-flight response in the nervous systems, the physical symptoms of anxiety may feel life-threatening in the moment. If you are unsure of whether or not your chest pain is related to anxiety, seeking medical care or medical advice is always recommended.

However, if you have experienced anxiety attacks, panic attacks or anxiety symptoms in the past, you may be able to recognize them in advance:

  • Hyperventilation
  • Shortness of Breath‌
  • Muscle Tension
  • Chest Tightness
  • Heart Palpitations
  • Increased Heart Rate

If you’re experiencing common and frequent anxiety symptoms, both medical care as well as mental health treatment may be helpful to provide you with a proper treatment plan.

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Techniques to Reduce and Manage Anxiety Symptoms

If you are familiar with the physical symptoms of anxiety and are looking to manage your anxiety as it arises, there are some techniques and strategies you can use to reduce anxiety. Deep breathing and breathing exercises can help to bring the body out of fight-or-flight, and to calm the nervous system. Other wellness activities and relaxation techniques like journaling and ensuring you’re getting enough sleep can help reduce anxiety preventatively, by emphasizing the mind-body connection.

Cardiovascular Chest Pain vs. Anxiety Chest Pain

There are so many causes of chest pain, and frequently, people who experience chest pain misattribute the pain to a heart attack or other heart-related health conditions.

Chest pain is a common symptom of heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack, or cardiac chest pain. If you are diagnosed with any of these health conditions and are experiencing chest pain, please dial 911 for emergency medical assistance.

Heart Attack Symptoms

Anxiety-related chest pain can often be misinterpreted as the symptom of a heart attack. For this reason, it’s important to know more about heart attack symptoms and cardiovascular heart problems, in order to differentiate from chest tightness due to anxiety.

According to the CDC,2 the major symptoms of a heart attack are:

  • Chest pain or discomfort
    • Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
  • The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain
  • Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
  • You may also break into a cold sweat
  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders
  • Shortness of breath

More About Anxiety

An estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives, and approximately 31.9% of adolescents struggle with any anxiety disorder.3 If you or your loved one are struggling with anxiety and looking for effective treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to AMFM Mental Health Treatment to begin your mental health recovery process today. Anxiety disorders can include but are not limited to:
  • Panic Disorder
  • Generalized Anxiety disorder
  • Agoraphobia
  • Specific Phobias
  • Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia)
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder

Inpatient Treatment for Anxiety

Inpatient Treatment for Anxiety refers to residential, or live-in mental health care programming in a facility. Inpatient treatment allows you or your loved one to engage in interpersonal therapy with licensed therapists and group therapy sessions, while healing in a safe and supportive environment. Inpatient mental health programming for anxiety usually also provides the highest level of care, with 24/7 clinical care, psychiatry and medication management, and personalized treatment plans for lasting well-being.

Outpatient Treatment for Anxiety

Outpatient Treatment (IOP or PHP) programs offer comprehensive mental health care at a more flexible schedule, with both in-person and virtual options available. Unlike residential care, intensive outpatient treatment can offer online therapy and programming, but without 24/7 clinical teams on staff. Outpatient treatment plans still offer a combination of individual and group therapy, through a holistic approach, but in a less structured environment.

If you have been struggling with one or more of the anxiety symptoms we have mentioned, know that you’re not alone. A Mission For Michael Mental Health Treatment has admission counselors available around the clock to help determine which treatment options can assist you in managing anxiety. Contact us today to begin your confidential and free mental health assessment.

Find Anxiety Treatment Programs

A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Anxiety support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.

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What is Anxiety Mental Health Treatment Like?

In a mental health treatment center, the day-to-day may vary depending upon your diagnoses and personalized treatment plan, but it will often consist of some combination of individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, psychiatry services, and more. AMFM Mental Health Treatment combines holistic and evidence-based mental health services in order to help each person overcome their particular obstacles and mental health conditions with a fresh toolkit of skills.

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, offering peer support, and the reminder that others are also walking through these challenges. At the same time, groups provide guidance from qualified mental health professionals, with suggestions and communication from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.4

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychologists are trained to help adults and young adults change their cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow maladaptive coping mechanisms.5 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.6

Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Services

A crisis is defined by the National Library of Medicine “as an overwhelming event, which can include divorce, violence, the passing of a loved one, or the discovery of a serious illness.” The goal of crisis intervention is to provide safety and reduce any potential harm to an individual undergoing a crisis.

Family Therapy

AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers family therapy through virtual family support groups that provide a dedicated time for families to engage in supportive and constructive interactions, fostering stronger relationships, and enhancing the overall treatment experience. Recovery takes a village, and it’s often helpful for family members to be involved in behavioral growth.

Does Health Insurance Cover Treatment for Anxiety Disorders Near Me?

Yes, most health insurance companies provide some form of coverage for anxiety treatment. This often includes both inpatient and outpatient care, depending on your symptoms. Coverage generally applies to therapy, counseling, and medication management services. Your plan may have limitations, exclusions, or required authorizations.

We encourage you to verify your coverage with AMFM Mental Health Treatment to understand the full scope of your benefits. This is especially true if you’re looking for specific treatments, like postpartum depression treatments or persistent depressive disorder treatment options.

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See If Treatment Is Covered

Insurance can be complicated but we are here to help. AMFM has over a decade of experience in the mental health field and is in-network with many large insurance providers.

By using our form, we can quickly determine if you are in-network at one of our facilities. Insurance benefits vary greatly depending on the policy you have, so we obtain a detailed quote of your coverage.

It usually takes between sixty to ninety minutes depending on the time of day.

Our team will check insurance coverage and determine the benefits available to you for mental health services.

We also have private pay options available.

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Anxiety-Related Chest Pain FAQs

Anxiety triggers the body’s stress response, which can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tightness in the chest and hyperventilation — all of which can lead to chest pain or discomfort.

If chest pain occurs with other symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or pain radiating to the jaw or arm, you should seek medical attention. Anxiety‑related pain often feels like tightness and is usually temporary, but medical evaluation is important to rule out cardiac causes.

Pause, breathe deeply (inhale slowly for 4, hold 2, exhale 6), practice grounding techniques, and reach out for professional help if the pain is new, worsening or paired with alarming symptoms. At AMFM we help clients develop coping strategies and treatment plans.

Yes, it can — treating the underlying anxiety usually helps reduce the physical symptoms, including chest pain. AMFM offers a full continuum of care, including therapy, holistic modalities, and medication management, tailored to your needs.

Most insurance plans cover anxiety treatment, including outpatient work or residential care if required. AMFM’s admissions team can help verify your benefits and guide you through the process.

“Anxiety.” American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety. Accessed 8 April 2025. https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety#:~:text=Anxiety%20is%20an%20emotion%20characterized,the%20APA%20Dictionary%20of%20Psychology 

“About Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery.” CDC, 24 October 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/heart-attack.html. Accessed 8 April 2025.

“Any Anxiety Disorder – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).” National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder. Accessed 8 April 2025.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder 

“Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy.” American Psychological Association, 31 October 2019, https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“APA Dictionary of Psychology.” APA Dictionary of Psychology, https://dictionary.apa.org/cognitive-behavior-therapy. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“What is EMDR?” EMDR Institute, https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/. Accessed 20 February 2025.

MA, Carlberg K. “Crisis Intervention – StatPearls.” NCBI, 24 April 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559081/. Accessed 20 February 2025.

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