You might have gone through a stressful day, a couple of tense conversations, a traffic jam and an ugly cup of bitter tea…then all of a sudden in the middle of all this pressure, your heart begins to ache. The first thing that crosses your mind at such a time is, couldn’t it be a stroke? However, it is not necessarily what we think. This poor heart sometimes is only powerless prey to our nerves, something as childish anger, which happens too soon and ceases too soon. In this paper I will say very plainly and squarely what precisely occurs in your body whenever you experience so-called cardiac nerve pain and what the symptoms are.

What does cardiac neuralgia mean?

The pain of the nerve heart or stress and anxiety-related chest pain is one of the most widespread complaints that make patients visit the emergency room or doctor. Imbalances in blood circulation or clogged arteries do not necessarily cause such pain, but it is the direct consequence of the interference of the nervous system of the person. The body releases hormone adrenaline when we are stressed or anxious. The hormone increases the rate of the heartbeat, alters blood pressure, and even contracts the chest muscles. This contraction may even present itself as actual heart pain. The key difference is that the nerve pain which is experienced in the heart is not life threatening, but due to the fact that the symptoms are very similar to those of a heart attack, it tends to scare the patient. That is why, its features and differences should be known.

Common Symptoms of Heart Pain That You Shouldn’t Ignore

The process of the diagnosis of a heart nerve pain is not a simple one, because its symptoms at times bear unusual similarity to heart attack. However, there are several important indications that can be used:

a cardiac nerve pain is not an easy task, as its symptoms sometimes look strangely similar to a heart attack. But there are a few key signs that can help:

1- Chest pain

• It is usually shooting, sharp, or vaguely pressure-like.
• It does not manifest itself when one is engaged in physical exercise as compared to when a person is stressed or angry.

2- Sudden heartbeat

• The person feels like their heart is beating out of their chest.
• This palpitation is commonly accompanied by serious anxiety or panic attack.

3- Feeling of shortness of breath for no reason

• Though one is not engaged in a certain activity, he or she experiences suffocation or shortage of air.
• Stress and worry are primarily related to this symptom.

4- Numbness or tingling

• Particularly on the ends of the fingers, around the mouth or even on the arms.
• It is not as sporadic and transient as the heart pain, which normally radiates up the left hand.

5- Cold sweating and body tremors

• Excessive adrenaline discharge and stimulation of the sympathetic system directly cause this pain.

6- The feeling of imminent death.

• Among the clearest signs of a heart attack, one must mention sudden and strong fear of death.
• This is an extremely prevalent feeling during a panic attack and causes the patient to feel very nervous.

These symptoms can take several minutes up to a few hours and they normally get away as the condition is calmed down, or you administer anti-anxiety drugs.

The difference between real heart pain and cardiac nerve pain: how to tell it?

This is one of the most significant problems: it is necessary to figure out whether it is caused by the real heart problem or nerves and stress. Due to the fact that they both can be very similar, there are some important differences, which are of much use to us.

Characteristics of real heart pain (angina or myocardial infarction):

• Type of pain: It is usually compressed, heavy, and resembles a heavy object on the chest.
• Place of pain: often in the middle or left side of the chest.
• Pain Release: Shooting pain into the left shoulder, arm, neck, jaw, or even back.
• Time of occurrence: mostly during physical activity (brisk walking, climbing stairs) or after eating heavy food.
• Duration: Usually takes more than 5 minutes.
• Accompanying symptoms: shortness of breath, heavy sweating, nausea, dizziness, and sometimes dark eyes.

Characteristics of Neuropathic Pain:

• Type of pain: mostly sharp, sharp, or even tingling.
• Location of pain: It can be limited to a specific spot in the chest, not necessarily the left side.
• Pain dissipation: It usually does not have a clear release or is felt sporadically in the body.
• Time of occurrence: Mostly during times of stress, anger, worry, or even at rest.
• Duration: It may take a few seconds to a few minutes and can change with a change in posture or a deep breath.
• Associated symptoms: palpitations, body tremors, feelings of suffocation, severe anxiety, or panic attacks.

What causes cardiac nerve pain nerve?

Cardiac nerve pain tends not to be a serious physical situation, yet it has a plethora of psychological and lifestyle preconditions. It is important to know these factors in order to prevent and treat.

1- Chronic stress and anxiety

This is what causes the greatest heart pain. The stress can be a result of urban life, work and work pressures, economic or family issues. This agitates the nervous system and the continuous discharge of adrenaline, which causes palpitations of heart, spasms of muscles, and chest pain.

2- Panic attacks (severe anxiety)

Individuals having panic disorder tend to visit the emergency room, complaining of chest pain and the sense of death approaching. These attacks may take several minutes up to half an hour and appear to be more like heart attack.

3- Depression and Mental Problems

Depression can also result in the changes in the body besides the low mood. Research work has been able to provide the direct linkage that exists between depression and the occurrence of neurocardiac pain.

4- Excessive consumption of stimulants

• Powerful tea, much coffee, energy beverages and even cigarettes can trigger the nervous system and lead to the heart pain.
• These chemicals increase the amount of adrenaline released in the body and cause an individual to experience palpitations and pain in the chest.

5- Insomnia and extreme fatigue

Inadequate sleep and overworking leave the body in a chronic stress state. This disorder first affects the heart and the nervous system.

6- Stressful urban lifestyle

Traffic, air pollution, job competitions, and even the social problems have a significant role to play in heightening the occurrence of heart pain.

Heart pains are caused by nerves and lifestyle and not the veins within the heart. However, due to the fact that these symptoms are liable to be mixed with actual heart disease, one should constantly be carefully monitored by a physician.

When should we take it seriously and see a doctor?

Not so readily does one know whether the chest pain is a real or nerve-wracking. Due to this reason, adhering to the tips of warning will save your life. Signs to be checked immediately:

1. Severe or prolonged chest pain that lasts more than 5 minutes.
2. Spread pain to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back.
3. Severe shortness of breath or a feeling of suffocation.
4. Cold sweating and nausea coinciding with pain.
5. Dizziness or a feeling of extreme weakness.

The symptoms described would be noticed, and this is not the time to wait regardless of the fact that you believe that the cause is anxiety or stress. The most appropriate and the securest way is to visit an immediate check up by a cardiologist.

Heart Treatment: From Calming the Mind to Lifestyle Modification

Once we are sure that heartache is not real, we can calm our heart and mind with scientific and practical solutions:

1- Relaxation and stress reduction techniques

• The nervous system is balanced through light exercise like taking a leisure walk.
• At least 5 minutes of meditation and deep breathing a day can be used to control blood pressure and heart rate.
• Particularly, anxiety can be decreased with the help of relaxing activities (listening to soft music, reading a book, praying and reciting).

2- Nutrition suitable for the heart and nerves

• Consume high levels of omega-3s and antioxidants of fish, walnuts, barberries, and fresh vegetables.
• Take relaxing herbal teas, e.g., borage, lemon balm, and chamomile.
• Consumption of strong tea and coffee and energy drinks should be avoided during stressful situations that are extreme.

3- Adequate sleep and rest

• The secret of health is regular and sufficient sleep of the heart and nervous system.
• It is possible to achieve a significant improvement in the quality of sleep by creating a restful sleep environment and minimizing light and noise, as well as avoiding mobile phones prior to bed.

4- The Role of Physician Companion

Though the lifestyle is healthy, short-term anxiolytics or psychiatric consultation is necessary in some cases. The appearance of a cardiologist and a psychologist predetermines the safe and focused treatment path.

Final Thoughts

Cardiac nerve pain may sound scary, but it is often a sign of stress and anxiety, not a heart attack. However, ensuring the true health of the heart is only possible with a medical examination. Accompanying a specialist doctor not only gives peace of mind, but also makes the path to lifestyle modification, nutrition and stress management safe and scientific. At Jam Medical Complex, by utilizing the best cardiologists in Iran, a safe and scientific environment is provided so that patients can examine and care for their heart and mind with complete confidence. Listen to your heart, but also trust the doctor’s wisdom and experience. A calm heart, a healthy heart and a quality life are your rights.

Resources

Noncardiac Chest Pain: A Focus on Psychogenic Causes

Stress, depression and left-sided psychogenic chest pain

Chest pain and breathlessness: relationship to psychiatric illness