When we talk about tachycardia feeling in an anxiety, we mean a fairly common phenomenon, which many people experience at least once in their lives. When you perceive a sudden increase in heartbeat you can scare, especially when it occurs without an apparent cause; However, in many cases, it is a reaction strictly linked to states of anxiety and stress, rather than to heart problems of an organic nature.
The understanding of the link between anxiety tachycardia and the functioning of our nervous system is essential to deal with the problem effectively, distinguishing transient symptoms from any more serious medical conditions.
What is stress tachycardia?
There stress tachycardia It is a phenomenon in which the heart rate increases due to a strong emotional activation; It is not a disease itself, but a natural reaction of the body towards conditions of anxiety attacks, fear or prolonged tension. When a person finds himself in a stress situation, the body reacts as if he were in danger. This happens as anxiety activates the autonomous nervous system, responsible for the involuntary regulation of body functions, including the heartbeat.
THE main mechanisms At the base of anxiety tachycardia include:
- Activation of the autonomous nervous system: The body is preparing for a reaction of “struggle or escape”, increasing heart rate.
- Release of adrenaline and cortisol: These hormones increase the heartbeat to improve physical and mental readiness.
It is important to underline that anxiety tachycardia is a common phenomenon; However, in some cases, this reaction it can become chronic And negatively impact the quality of life, generating further stress and fueling a vicious circle.
Symptoms and manifestations of anxiety tachycardia
Stress tachycardia can manifest itself with several symptomsincluding:
- Feeling of accelerated beats: the heart may seem “crazy” without an evident cause.
- Feeling of having the heart in the throat: a perception of oppression or irregular pulsations in the chest or throat.
- Extrasistole or arrhythmias: small irregularities in the heart rhythm that often increase anxiety.
One of the most common fears is to confuse anxiety tachycardia with more serious heart problems; Unlike pathological arrhythmias, the tachycardia induced by anxiety is often temporary And it disappears when the emotional state normalizes.
Night symptoms: why are we waking up with tachycardia?
Many people experience night tachycardiasuddenly waking up with the heart beating strong. This phenomenon may be due to:
- Stress accumulation during the day: The body can develop the tension accumulated even during sleep.
- Sleep disturbances: insomnia and night apnea can contribute to anxiety and night tachycardia.
Anxiety tachycardia: is it dangerous?
In most cases, anxiety tachycardia does not represent a risk for the heart. However, if the episodes become frequent or very intense, it is advisable to contact a doctor to exclude other causes.
How to calm anxiety tachycardia
There are different Strategies to reduce stress tachycardia And manage anxiety effectively; Among these are immediate relaxation techniques, including the diaphragmatic breathing – breathing deeply helps to reduce the activation of the sympathetic nervous system – and mindfulness for anxiety, as meditation and awareness practices can reduce stress and improve control of emotions.
At the same time, it is also possible to make changes to the lifestyle To reduce tachycardia, for example through the performance of regular physical activitywhich helps to regulate the heartbeat and reduce anxiety, as well as with abalanced feeding – In fact, the avoidance of caffeine and alcohol is already able to reduce the frequency of anxiety tachycardia episodes. In addition, also the sleep It has a strong importance: to improve sleep hygiene is essential to prevent night tachycardia.
Finally, in some cases it may be necessary pharmacological or therapeutic interventions to manage the problem. But when to resort to drugs? If anxiety tachycardia is persistent, the doctor may prescribe Beta-blockers or anxiolytics To check the symptoms. In parallel, psychological therapy strategies are also of strong utility: for example, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help manage anxiety disorders underlying tachycardia.
In conclusion, the tachycardia linked to anxiety represents a common phenomenon which can be frightening, but which in most cases is not such; For this reason, understanding the underlying causes so the heart accelerates in stress situations can help better manage the problem, avoiding further feeding anxiety with excessive concerns.
At the same time, the use of relaxation techniques, the improvement of one’s lifestyle and, if necessary, to contact professional help are fundamental steps to reduce these episodes and find greater well -being. It should always be borne in mind that the body – and in this case more specific, the heart – and the mind are closely connected: learning to manage anxiety not only helps to calm the heartbeat, but improves the quality of life in general.
If anxiety becomes an obstacle in everyday life, a therapeutic path It can offer concrete tools to face it in a more serene and conscious way, as taking care of your emotional balance also means protecting one’s physical health.
