Can Stress Cause Chest Pain? Understanding the Risks for Seniors
According to the American Institute of Stress, adults identified stress (53%) and sleep (40%) as lifestyle factors that have the largest impact on their mental health. About 44% of seniors ages 50 to 80 feel stressed, leading to mental and physical symptoms.
Can stress cause chest pain? Yes! However, you may confuse stress-related chest pain with a heart attack.
What's the connection between aging and heart disease, and how can you improve your senior heart health? Read on to find out!
Aging and Heart Disease
Your heart pumps blood throughout your body. The right side pumps blood into your lungs, allowing it to pick up oxygen. The left side receives oxygen-rich blood before pumping it through your arteries.
The heart's natural electrical system controls your heart rate. It coordinates contractions of the heart's top and bottom chambers.
Aging, however, can change your heart and blood vessels. For example, your heart rate during physical activity or stress may change. You may notice:
- A fluttering in your chest
- The sensation of your heart skipping a beat
- Your heart beating hard and fast
Occasional skipped or extra heartbeats can occur more often as you get older. However, they're usually not dangerous. If you experience this persistently or frequently, it may indicate a heart rhythm abnormality (arrhythmia), which may require treatment.
The chambers of your heart may get larger over time. Your heart's walls can thicken, decreasing the amount of blood the chamber can hold.
Heart wall thickening can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation, which affects 33 million people worldwide, according to an article in the Journal of Family and Community Medicine. This heart rhythm problem may increase your risk of stroke. The risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation is as high as 20%.
The valves that control blood flow between heart chambers can become stiffer or thicker over time. Stiff valves may limit blood flow out of your heart. They can become leaky, causing fluid to build up.
These changes due to aging and heart disease can increase your risk of health problems. Heart disease may cause disability or affect your quality of life. Schedule regular check-ups with your primary care physician to monitor your heart health as you age.
Signs of Heart Disease
Common symptoms of heart disease include:
- Nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach
- Anxiety
- Weakness
- Crushing chest pain
- Pressure in the center or left side of the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Cold sweats
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness
- Pain, numbness, and/or tingling in the arms, shoulders, or back
Let your Knightdale doctor know if you experience these symptoms.
Can Stress Cause Chest Pain?
Can stress cause chest pain? Yes.
According to The American Journal of Cardiology, about 30 to 40% of patients with low-impact chest pain who visit an emergency department are experiencing anxiety. These patients have an increased risk of multiple return visits due to recurring chest pain.
However, you shouldn't always assume stress or anxiety are to blame for your chest pain. If you experience symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. A physician will determine if you have a heart condition or are having a heart attack.
Stress and anxiety can cause a surge of adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones) through the body. This can cause a rise in your blood pressure and heart rate, potentially causing:
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Difficulty breathing
High blood pressure can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. It affects nearly half of all adults. Hypertension in seniors is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes such as stroke and heart failure.
The increased adrenaline can narrow your heart's arteries and attach to cells in the heart. Known as stress cardiomyopathy, this condition mimics the symptoms of a heart attack.
Stress cardiomyopathy usually heals within a few days. However, it could cause:
- Weak heart muscles
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Congestive heart failure
Differentiating Pain Symptoms
It's sometimes difficult to differentiate stress-related chest pain from pain due to an underlying heart condition. Both can cause:
- Feelings of dread
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
Chest pain from a heart attack usually spreads throughout the chest. It can radiate to the arms, jaw, and shoulders. With stress-related chest pain, however, the pain usually remains in the chest.
Heart attack pain usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. Stress usually causes sudden pain that improves slowly.
Stress-related chest pain usually goes away within ten minutes. If your pain persists longer, visit a doctor right away.
Tips for Managing Stress
Managing stress levels may help improve your mood, health, and outlook on life. Here are some tips for managing stress.
Stay Active
Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Strength (resistance) training and aerobic exercise may benefit your heart health.
Explore your Knightdale senior living community's wellness program for workout classes. These may include:
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Strength training
- Walking
Participate in these classes alongside friends. Remaining social can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, improving your overall health.
Follow a Heart-Healthy Diet
Your Knightdale senior living community's dining program can help you maintain a heart-healthy diet. Heart-healthy foods include:
- Leafy greens
- Fatty fish and fish oil
- Dark chocolate
- Avocados
- Berries
- Whole grains
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Green tea
- Almonds
These foods may help influence heart disease risk factors, including blood pressure and triglycerides. Consider following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet to improve your senior heart health.
Managing Stress
Managing stress can reduce excess cortisol production. Try relaxation techniques like:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Visualization
- Deep breathing
Your Knightdale senior living community's wellness program may offer guided courses.
Get Enough Sleep
Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night to reduce your risk of heart disease. Sleep patterns change as we get older, potentially making it more difficult to fall or stay asleep.
Consider moving into a senior living community. Comfortable, relaxing living accommodations could help you fall and stay asleep.
Improve Your Senior Heart Health
To recap, can stress cause chest pain? Yes! Many people struggle to differentiate stress-related chest pain from heart disease symptoms.
Moving into a senior living community can help you manage your stress. TerraBella Knightdale is the best senior living community in Knightdale, NC.
We're committed to making our residents the center of attention. Discover our exclusive lifestyle programs, comfortable living options, and on-site amenities. Contact us to schedule a tour.