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Does Anxiety Cause Tightness In Chest?
Question: Over 14 Years , I have taken 6 Pulmonary Function
tests. The First Test taken in late 2000, the last July of 2014 . The first had the following results, FVC 110% of Predicted, FEV1 103% of predicted, Ratio Fev1/fev 77%, FEV 25-75 85% Dlco 87 TLC 110, DLCO/VA 61%
Most Current one FVC 114, FEV1 103, /ratio 72%, FEV25 75 69%m DLCO 81 TLC 102, DLOC/VA 83
The four tests in between have varied little from the range of these two that I have listed. The only one that has bounces is FEV25/75, it has dropped to 49% and back up. The pulmonologist has concluded, a mild Ventilatory defect with small air trappings. Over this entire time it has considered Been Very mild obstruction. The pulmonologist has listed Asthmatic Bronchitis, but I have no cough or mucus.
Until recent two years, I have been physically active in that I ride 25 miles a day on the bike, 3 days aweek. I became a grandpa a few years back and have exercised less and less I need an answer to the question, If the pft's stay at similar percentage of predicted levels, should I see any physical changes that were not visible before? I have talked to Pulmonologist, Pulmonologist nurse and a certified Respiratory therapist who all say pretty much the same. That there should not be any changes since the Tests are the same. I forgot to mention, I can blow full meter on athma tester.
I do have high anxiety and constant gad Panic, Could this issue cause such a tighness around the upper chest with inspiration that inhaling must take place in lower area where it should and then cause stomach to press on lungs.
The big question in ths text is to understand if Panic and High anxiety can tighten up chest to keep from taking a good breath in.
Last symptom that has started since the day I proceeded to andswer and converse on the phone while on treadmill. I ran out of breath and am short of breath because of the fright I got that day.
tests. The First Test taken in late 2000, the last July of 2014 . The first had the following results, FVC 110% of Predicted, FEV1 103% of predicted, Ratio Fev1/fev 77%, FEV 25-75 85% Dlco 87 TLC 110, DLCO/VA 61%
Most Current one FVC 114, FEV1 103, /ratio 72%, FEV25 75 69%m DLCO 81 TLC 102, DLOC/VA 83
The four tests in between have varied little from the range of these two that I have listed. The only one that has bounces is FEV25/75, it has dropped to 49% and back up. The pulmonologist has concluded, a mild Ventilatory defect with small air trappings. Over this entire time it has considered Been Very mild obstruction. The pulmonologist has listed Asthmatic Bronchitis, but I have no cough or mucus.
Until recent two years, I have been physically active in that I ride 25 miles a day on the bike, 3 days aweek. I became a grandpa a few years back and have exercised less and less I need an answer to the question, If the pft's stay at similar percentage of predicted levels, should I see any physical changes that were not visible before? I have talked to Pulmonologist, Pulmonologist nurse and a certified Respiratory therapist who all say pretty much the same. That there should not be any changes since the Tests are the same. I forgot to mention, I can blow full meter on athma tester.
I do have high anxiety and constant gad Panic, Could this issue cause such a tighness around the upper chest with inspiration that inhaling must take place in lower area where it should and then cause stomach to press on lungs.
The big question in ths text is to understand if Panic and High anxiety can tighten up chest to keep from taking a good breath in.
Last symptom that has started since the day I proceeded to andswer and converse on the phone while on treadmill. I ran out of breath and am short of breath because of the fright I got that day.
Brief Answer:
shortness of breath
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for contacting HCM. Your PFT's has been pretty much the sameover the years except for little variation on FEV25-75 . With these PFT's yes there should not be any significant physical changes over the span of 14 years. I agree with your physicians on that. So next thing you may want to exclude is it may be stable angina also called angina of effort for that you may undergo treadmill test. If both of these are negative and keeping in view that you have an anxious personality, well then anxiety can be one of the causes of shortness of breath.
Anxiety related breathing issues are as a consequence of hyperventilation. Hyperventilation is also known as "overbreathing," and it occurs when your body is inhaling too much oxygen and is exhaling too much carbon dioxide.
Even though the bodies need oxygen, healthy carbon dioxide levels are still important. When you are taking in too much air and letting out too much oxygen, it can cause your body to feel like you're not breathing enough. Anxiety hyperventilation is often caused by one of two issues:
Breathing too fast, such as during an anxiety attack when your body is in fight/flight mode.
Thinking about your breathing, which may cause you to take in more air then you need.
The individuals with panic disorder may have the feeling of chest tightness which can give the false perception of breathlessness meaning not getting enough oxygen so they hyperventilate as a result.
In the short term, you'll need to make sure that you breathe healthy and avoid the temptation to over-breathe. During an panic attack, you may simply need to wait it out – they generally peak after 10 minutes and subside soon after.
In the long term, you may try techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga and if the problems are really persistent and troublesome, in that case you may visit a psychiatrist who will prescribe you SSRI.
I hope it helps.
Dr. Khan
shortness of breath
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for contacting HCM. Your PFT's has been pretty much the sameover the years except for little variation on FEV25-75 . With these PFT's yes there should not be any significant physical changes over the span of 14 years. I agree with your physicians on that. So next thing you may want to exclude is it may be stable angina also called angina of effort for that you may undergo treadmill test. If both of these are negative and keeping in view that you have an anxious personality, well then anxiety can be one of the causes of shortness of breath.
Anxiety related breathing issues are as a consequence of hyperventilation. Hyperventilation is also known as "overbreathing," and it occurs when your body is inhaling too much oxygen and is exhaling too much carbon dioxide.
Even though the bodies need oxygen, healthy carbon dioxide levels are still important. When you are taking in too much air and letting out too much oxygen, it can cause your body to feel like you're not breathing enough. Anxiety hyperventilation is often caused by one of two issues:
Breathing too fast, such as during an anxiety attack when your body is in fight/flight mode.
Thinking about your breathing, which may cause you to take in more air then you need.
The individuals with panic disorder may have the feeling of chest tightness which can give the false perception of breathlessness meaning not getting enough oxygen so they hyperventilate as a result.
In the short term, you'll need to make sure that you breathe healthy and avoid the temptation to over-breathe. During an panic attack, you may simply need to wait it out – they generally peak after 10 minutes and subside soon after.
In the long term, you may try techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga and if the problems are really persistent and troublesome, in that case you may visit a psychiatrist who will prescribe you SSRI.
I hope it helps.
Dr. Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response, to answer your statement, YES, I have taken a stress test in the past 12 months and the results were very good. I have been checked for angina and that is negative. No Heart Disease. If as you say that the Pulmonologist and Respiratory therapist who looked at the results and have determined that the little change in the PFT tests would reflect little physical changes and that anxiety can produce Shortness of Breath (SOB) symptoms, than I will work from that perspective on healing. I do have a Psychiatrist therapist who also agrees with the diagnosis. Funny how the mind can do things to your well being. I am not a fan of how many times I let the Anxiety develop into Panic and the sensations of Panic have caused me to feel as if I run short of breath when doing the simplest of things and I exhale more as if I were running that with the burning sensation in my throat, I Panic more and it becomes a never ending cycle.
The Respiratory therapist has responded that reading the PFT's over time reflect a normal persons aging respiratory curve.
Combining all the above information and to consider one more point, I have allowed my fitness program to almost cease over the past 6 years, I should expect some SOB and get back to exercise. Exercise has good endorphins and will help the stress and Anxiety.
The Respiratory therapist has responded that reading the PFT's over time reflect a normal persons aging respiratory curve.
Combining all the above information and to consider one more point, I have allowed my fitness program to almost cease over the past 6 years, I should expect some SOB and get back to exercise. Exercise has good endorphins and will help the stress and Anxiety.
Brief Answer:
yes exercise is good/
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I agree exercise has many beneficial effects on the body and the mind as well. You need to slowly condition your body to the effects of exercise. Anxiety can be cooped with changing your lifestyle and moving towards more relaxation activities as I mentioned before. Also the deep breathing exercises should help as well. Thank you for taking your time to share your problem with us.
yes exercise is good/
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I agree exercise has many beneficial effects on the body and the mind as well. You need to slowly condition your body to the effects of exercise. Anxiety can be cooped with changing your lifestyle and moving towards more relaxation activities as I mentioned before. Also the deep breathing exercises should help as well. Thank you for taking your time to share your problem with us.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Last bit of information requested. The Dr.s impression of the PFT is Asthma/Asthmatic Bronchitis. When I come near an area where there is cigarette smoke, I have somewhat a hard time breathing. I notice the smell stinks and is sickening.
1. ****Is this a asthma inflammatory reaction to the smoke or is it possible that I have developed a anxious reaction to the smell that I seize up in the airways. ***
The last question for you is this and it has to do with my Generalized Anxiety disorder, Stress and Panic that I am disposed to. Over the past 10 years I watched my mother go through all the stages of COPD till she died. At the same time I had quite a few of my own stressors including relationships and work affecting my life. I am no DR. but I feel it safe to assume that all the stress and anxiety has quantified its self until my body is way out of normal homeostasis and any trigger or thought of something terrible no matter the size has an affect to my breathing and Asthma. I had a minor physical exertion event that occurred back in March that "Broke the Camels Back" and set in motion this current set of Panic and breathing issues. The event is not greatly important other than its cause and effect.
In my memory, I recall once breathing using a combination of chest and belly breathing. First I inhale filling a bit of upper lungs then transfer to lower lungs. Now I find a tightness in upper area that I take in less but more to belly. The filling of the lower lungs/belly area is pushed in by the stomach and when that is full the breathing feels shorted.
2. ****Is all the reaction of the body to stress hormones and anxiety capable of tightening the upper chest area to make it harder to breathe in the upper lungs.**** Also does the Anxiety cause havoc with certain odors that my body cares little for and causes an inflammatory response to close up airways. Funny thing, I have no mucus production.
As I said, this came on all of the sudden back in march when attempting to exert self on more than one thing at a time. I was told that what resulted from that was partially due to being out of shape and doing more than normal physically. Since the more I think of this the more distressed I get so I take a Lexapro and a Xanax to relax me and makes my day ease
1. ****Is this a asthma inflammatory reaction to the smoke or is it possible that I have developed a anxious reaction to the smell that I seize up in the airways. ***
The last question for you is this and it has to do with my Generalized Anxiety disorder, Stress and Panic that I am disposed to. Over the past 10 years I watched my mother go through all the stages of COPD till she died. At the same time I had quite a few of my own stressors including relationships and work affecting my life. I am no DR. but I feel it safe to assume that all the stress and anxiety has quantified its self until my body is way out of normal homeostasis and any trigger or thought of something terrible no matter the size has an affect to my breathing and Asthma. I had a minor physical exertion event that occurred back in March that "Broke the Camels Back" and set in motion this current set of Panic and breathing issues. The event is not greatly important other than its cause and effect.
In my memory, I recall once breathing using a combination of chest and belly breathing. First I inhale filling a bit of upper lungs then transfer to lower lungs. Now I find a tightness in upper area that I take in less but more to belly. The filling of the lower lungs/belly area is pushed in by the stomach and when that is full the breathing feels shorted.
2. ****Is all the reaction of the body to stress hormones and anxiety capable of tightening the upper chest area to make it harder to breathe in the upper lungs.**** Also does the Anxiety cause havoc with certain odors that my body cares little for and causes an inflammatory response to close up airways. Funny thing, I have no mucus production.
As I said, this came on all of the sudden back in march when attempting to exert self on more than one thing at a time. I was told that what resulted from that was partially due to being out of shape and doing more than normal physically. Since the more I think of this the more distressed I get so I take a Lexapro and a Xanax to relax me and makes my day ease
Brief Answer:
hi
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Your allergic reaction to smoke seems to be the consequence of asthma. If you find it difficult to breathe in the circumstance when you are in an environment full of smoke. If you want to confirm if its due to asthma or not, you may want to undergo methacholine challenge test in which they give you methacholine first which causes bronchospasm in predisposed people and then they do the spirometery.
Your problem with running as I mentioned before seems to be more likely of anxiety since the tightening of muscles in the upper chest as you mentioned is classic for an anxiety reaction and in the event of no CVS problem is diagnostic of it. Another differential is exercise induced asthma which is unlikely because it doesn't present with chest tightness it just presents with difficulty in breathing that if you want can again be excluded through methacholine challenge test. Even if you get methacholine challenge test positive, it would suggest exercise induced asthma but is not diagnostic of it and again we can't exclude anxiety in that case. In that case you may also try an empiric albuterol inhaler use before exercise and see if that helps which would be diagnostic of exercise induced asthma however as I said its unlikely.
I think for now you should work on the exercises I mentioned, live a relaxed life, and use the meds lexapro and xanax which you have been prescribed and it should help with your condition. Hope it helps.
hi
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Your allergic reaction to smoke seems to be the consequence of asthma. If you find it difficult to breathe in the circumstance when you are in an environment full of smoke. If you want to confirm if its due to asthma or not, you may want to undergo methacholine challenge test in which they give you methacholine first which causes bronchospasm in predisposed people and then they do the spirometery.
Your problem with running as I mentioned before seems to be more likely of anxiety since the tightening of muscles in the upper chest as you mentioned is classic for an anxiety reaction and in the event of no CVS problem is diagnostic of it. Another differential is exercise induced asthma which is unlikely because it doesn't present with chest tightness it just presents with difficulty in breathing that if you want can again be excluded through methacholine challenge test. Even if you get methacholine challenge test positive, it would suggest exercise induced asthma but is not diagnostic of it and again we can't exclude anxiety in that case. In that case you may also try an empiric albuterol inhaler use before exercise and see if that helps which would be diagnostic of exercise induced asthma however as I said its unlikely.
I think for now you should work on the exercises I mentioned, live a relaxed life, and use the meds lexapro and xanax which you have been prescribed and it should help with your condition. Hope it helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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