How stress affects women's breast health

Why does your heart hurt from nerves or after stress?

For cardialgia due to stress, a characteristic feature is vascular spasm under the influence of stress hormones, rapid heartbeat and breathing.

A shallow and frequent rhythm of breathing movements leads to isolation of the diaphragm, as it cannot keep up with rapid inhalations and exhalations.

The main function is assumed by the muscles located between the ribs, the pectoral muscles, and the shoulder muscles. Local spasm and increased tone occur in them.

All these factors lead to the following changes:

• respiratory alkalosis (change in blood reaction to the alkaline side) due to hyperventilation;
• ventricular tachycardia;
• spasm of coronary vessels;
• decreased blood circulation in the myocardium.

We recommend reading about how to distinguish heart pain from neuralgia. You will learn about the nature of pain in cardiac pathology and in neuralgia and other diseases masquerading as heart disease. And here is more about why pain in the stomach radiates to the heart.

Life under time pressure changes hormones

— They say that all diseases are caused by stress. How is PMS related to stress?

— Let's start with the fact that PMS is a set of symptoms that can occur before menstruation. This condition itself is stress for the female body, programmed for the birth of a child. It is important to emphasize that from a medical point of view, menstruation is still a healthy condition. But from the point of view of Nature, this is a failure in reproduction: conception did not take place. We spent a month preparing to bear the child, but it would not happen. This in itself can be a trigger for PMS.

Women are more inclined than men to multitask, and therefore try to do everything at once: talk on the phone, answer a request on Skype, finish writing a document, think about the next tasks. Because of this, the body is constantly under stress, especially in socially active people engaged in mental work.

— Does nervous tension affect women’s health?

- Certainly! Many of us live under the pressure of chronic stress. The female body especially suffers from the stress that the modern rhythm of life requires. An alarm clock ringing that pulls you out of sleep, traffic jams, a faulty car, many work tasks that need to be solved at the same time... Women are more inclined than men to multitask, and therefore try to do everything at once: talk on the phone, answer a request on Skype , finish the document, think about the next tasks. Because of this, the body is constantly under stress, especially in socially active people engaged in mental work. By nature, it is easier for a woman to bear the burden associated with bearing and giving birth to a child, feeding and raising her, but a modern representative of the fair sex has many more goals in life. If she has one child or no children, if she does not fully perform the reproductive function, the body seems to begin to resist.

The differences between heart pain and nerve pain and stress from real illnesses

Pain syndrome due to neurosis or stress does not have a clear connection with physical activity and has a paroxysmal course. Cardialgia is very diverse: aching, pulsating, cutting, does not have a constant localization, is accompanied by headache, lack of air, sweating, motor agitation, long-lasting, can radiate under the shoulder blade or left arm, but there is no irradiation to the lower jaw.

With typical pain during an angina attack, patients, as a rule, are inhibited, describe the pain briefly, point to the site of occurrence with a clenched fist, the attack occurs after walking or overwork. Characteristics of true heart pain in coronary artery disease:

Localization of pain during angina pectoris

• localized behind the sternum;
• pressing, squeezing;
• radiates to the left shoulder blade, forearm, left half of the lower jaw;
• increases with movement, relieves with nitroglycerin;
• the attack lasts from 5 to 30 minutes.

The main criteria for diagnosing the psychogenic occurrence of the syndrome are diverse and prolonged pain that exceeds objective signs on the ECG, does not have a constant connection with a traumatic factor, and provides the patient with psychological or social benefits.

Types of cardialgia with neuroses

Depending on the clinical picture, several types of cardiac pain are distinguished.

Nervous heart diseases: names of the most common ones

The following heart diseases can occur due to nervousness:

• angina pectoris – paroxysmal pain in the chest;
• myocardial infarction – severe pain, not relieved by Nitroglycerin;
• hypertension - increased blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg. Art.;
• neurocirculatory dystonia of the cardiac type (cardioneurosis) - various pains in the heart with a normal ECG and blood tests;
• rhythm disturbances - tachycardia, extrasystole, atrial fibrillation, they are accompanied by interruptions in rhythm, palpitations, shortness of breath.

In addition, stressful conditions worsen the course of any existing heart disease, as they force it to work at an accelerated pace. This causes an increased need for oxygen, and a relative nutritional deficiency occurs. The myocardium does not receive the necessary substances for metabolism, its contraction force decreases, and pain appears.

Useful video

To learn what to do if your heart hurts after a nervous strain, watch this video:

Figuring out whether your heart hurts from anxiety or illness can be difficult. The reasons why this happens lie in the similarity in the descriptions of pain symptoms after severe stress and a heart attack. Can the patient help himself on his own?

Heart pain or neuralgia - how to distinguish similar symptoms? After all, first aid measures will differ significantly.

In order to understand what to take for heart pain, you need to determine its type. For sudden, strong, aching, dull, sharp, stabbing, pressing pain, different medications are needed - sedatives, anti-spasms, for arrhythmia, tachycardia. What pills will help with pain from stress, ischemia, arrhythmia, tachycardia? Will aspirin, analgin, No-spa help? Folk herbal remedies for the heart. What to buy without a prescription for the elderly during an attack.

The drug motherwort for the heart is indicated for pain and tachycardia. You can take either tincture or choose Pustyrniu Forte. However, it can bring benefits and harm. How does it affect the heart?

Pressure under stress can change either upward or downward. Why is this happening? What medications should I take for high or low blood pressure?

A nagging pain in the heart area may indicate diseases that are completely unrelated to the organ itself. The nature of the pain will tell you which doctor to see.

Heart pain radiating to the left arm rarely indicates anything good. A person needs to seek help from a doctor and not self-medicate.

Often there is acute pain in the heart. It can be sudden, strong, stabbing, sharp. In this case, the reasons may not be in the heart, but in other organs. What to do and how to understand what hurts?

Rapid, irregular heartbeat during menopause is quite common. Additionally, your blood pressure may jump and your heart may beat more often at night. If the situation is not critical, then instead of drugs, treatment is carried out with folk remedies.

source

Dangers of heart pain from nerves and stress

Usually there is a favorable course of the disease. By excluding the traumatic factor, following recommendations for lifestyle modification and psychological assistance, the disease can be cured. In this case, there is no enlargement of the heart muscle, circulatory failure, or dangerous changes in rhythm.

If only drug treatment is carried out, and an unhealthy lifestyle, low physical activity and eating refined and fatty foods persist, then over time psychogenic cardialgia can transform into hypertension or coronary artery disease.

Which doctors should I contact for help?

If you seek emergency care, doctors will help you navigate this issue by ruling out or confirming heart problems. If you have had an attack of angina, you cannot do without examination by a cardiologist. However, even if the attack turns out to be neuralgia, it is worth visiting a cardiologist.

With neuralgia, the situation is somewhat more complicated - first of all, you need to visit a neurologist, take an x-ray or undergo a tomography. Once the cause is determined, the doctor will be able to make further recommendations for treatment or refer you for consultation to another specialist, such as an osteopath.

Heart problems due to nerves

Problems in the heart are possible due to nerves, since the functioning of the nervous system depends on:

• heart rate (if it increases, the nutrition of the muscle layer is disrupted, more oxygen and glucose are needed to work);
• blood flow to the myocardium (the lumen of the arteries changes);
• blood pressure in the arterial bed (if it increases, it becomes difficult to eject blood into the aorta).

Blood pressure in the arterial bed depends on the functioning of the nervous system.
Deterioration of the heart condition occurs when:

• prolonged stress;
• unreacted experiences (containment of emotions);
• frequent psycho-emotional breakdowns;
• anxiety;
• sleep disturbance;
• anger, aggression, screaming;
• fears;
• resentment, envy;
• any negative or too strong positive emotions.

Cervicothoracic osteochondrosis with VSD

In medicine, there is an opinion that cervicothoracic osteochondrosis and VSD can provoke each other. According to statistics, about 90% of cases of VSD are caused by osteochondrosis. The difference between these pathologies is the origin of the symptoms themselves: with VSD, the main cause is a disruption in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, and with osteochondrosis, blood circulation is disrupted, as a result of which the pressure rises.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Ursosan instructions for use

The symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis and VSD are almost the same, so the diagnosis should be made exclusively by a doctor. There are cases when these 2 pathologies accompany each other. Treatment of both diseases is carried out comprehensively: drugs are used to relieve inflammation in the cervical spine and exercises are performed to relieve tension.

Spasm of cardiac vessels due to nerves

Nervous spasm of the heart vessels occurs due to the influence of adrenaline. Its receptors are located in the myocardium and blood vessels. This hormone is the first to be released by the adrenal glands in any stressful situation. Under its influence:

• the arteries supplying the heart muscle narrow;
• the rhythm quickens;
• the pressure and force of myocardial contractions increases;
• the need for oxygen in the muscle layer increases.

If stressful situations are strong, frequent, or the patient already has vascular diseases (usually atherosclerosis), then this causes pain. Vascular spasm can cause psychogenic chest pain, it is relieved after resting, taking sedatives, and walking at a leisurely pace can help.

In the presence of persistent narrowing or obstruction to blood flow (cholesterol deposits), stress provokes an attack of ischemic pain (angina). It can only be reduced by complete rest and Nitroglycerin.

Signs of the disease

The pathogenesis of the disease “chest neuralgia” is irritation or compression of the intercostal nerves, which are inflamed due to somatic pathology, injury or hypothermia.

Considering the symptoms of intercostal neurosis, one could limit ourselves to the main thing - pain that covers the entire area of ​​​​the ribs. But the symptomatic picture of this disease is a little broader than it seems.

We suggest you read: Pain in the spine on the left radiates to the buttock

Firstly, pain can have different degrees of severity and different nature. One patient will call the pain unbearably sharp, another will say that it is dull, a third will note a weak but incessant aching sensation.

The problem is that, based on a superficial description, such pain can be confused with heart or lung disease. Very often, a person who experienced an attack of intercostal neuralgia for the first time suspected that he was having a heart attack, in a stressful state “found” all the other signs of a life-threatening condition and immediately called an ambulance.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) and intercostal neuralgia together often make a person and his loved ones nervous. That is why it is very important to know all the symptoms of the disease in order to be able to differentiate neurosis from serious somatic pathology.

Pain in the chest area can occur not only with a pathology such as thoracic neuralgia. Symptoms of a similar nature appear in some diseases of the blood vessels and heart. To make a correct diagnosis, you need to identify the characteristics of the unpleasant sensations, because pain can be different. Thus, with intercostal neuralgia, it is usually present constantly for a long time, intensifies with any movements of the body and is not relieved by any medications.

Heart diseases

Angina pectoris

Myocardial infarction

Lung diseases

Pleurisy

Pneumonia

Tuberculosis

Psychogenic and ischemic chest pain

There are typical symptoms that distinguish psychogenic and ischemic (vascular) cardiac pain in the chest. But it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis without examination (ECG).

Chest pain due to neurosis

Characteristic features of chest pain with neurosis:

• occurs more often in the area of ​​the apex of the heart (below the left mammary gland on a line drawn from the middle of the collarbone);
• may not have a specific area or appears in a new place in the chest each time;
• constant or periodically subsides and intensifies, long-lasting;
• sensations: tingling, throbbing, aching;
• worsens: with frequent breathing, bending over;
• facilitates: rest or leisurely movements, smooth, shallow, stretched breathing, taking sedatives.

The main sign of psychogenic pain is a normal ECG.

Heart attack from nerves (angina)

A heart attack from nerves (due to stress) also occurs with myocardial ischemia - angina. Its symptoms:

• pain behind the sternum, often spreading to the left half of the chest, arm, neck;
• sensations: pressing, squeezing;
• increases with physical activity;
• relieves rest and Nitroglycerin;
• More often the attack lasts up to 15 minutes.

Referred pain

You just think your chest hurts. In fact, the pain comes from another organ or tissue. A classic example: you've been working out too hard at the gym - doing pull-ups or, say, using a rowing machine - and overexerted your pectoralis major muscle, which is located under your bust. As a result, the muscle hurts, and it seems as if the chest is aching.

Symptoms of mastalgia can include angina pectoris, gallstones, costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs and sternum) and some other diseases.

What to do about it

If there is a possibility that mastalgia is associated with muscle strain, wait a couple of days - the pain will go away on its own.

If it doesn’t go away and you’ve carefully read our list of reasons but still haven’t found yours, consult a gynecologist to rule out other diseases.

What to do if your heart hurts due to strong nerves and stress

The main methods of treatment for cardioneurosis are non-drug. They are prescribed to increase the resistance of the nervous system to the influence of an irritating factor. These include:

• hardening - contrast shower, dousing, rubbing with cold water;
• physical activity - walking in nature, swimming, light jogging, cycling;
• relaxation techniques - meditation, aromatherapy, acupuncture, yoga;
• Spa treatment;
• physiotherapy - pine, mineral, pearl baths, underwater shower-massage, electrosleep, administration of bromine or magnesium to the collar area using galvanic current, general relaxation massage.

Pharmaceutical drugs that can be prescribed for pain relief include Corvalol, Barboval, Valocordin, Corvalment, Validol, and Zelenin drops.

For course treatment, sleeping pills and sedatives of predominantly natural composition are used - Novo-Passit, Persen, Dormiplant, Sedafiton, Fitoson, tinctures of peony, motherwort, lily of the valley with valerian. In the presence of tachycardia or high blood pressure, beta blockers and antihypertensive drugs in small doses can be added to therapy.

Eleutherococcus extract

It is recommended to take cardiac medications to strengthen the myocardium - Potassium orotate, Mildronate, Riboxin, Panangin. For low blood pressure, adaptogens are prescribed - extract of lemongrass, Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus or ginseng in the first half of the day.

When your heart hurts, what to do

If your heart hurts from worries, worries, nervous tension, after a breakdown, then herbal sedatives, Validol, Corvalol phyto will help. If such attacks recur, then you need to contact a cardiologist to identify the cause of the pain.

From worries

If your heart hurts from constant worries, then you should regularly take relaxing and calming medications:

• Novo-Passit,
• peony tincture,
• Persen
• Magne B6.

It is recommended to drink them all the time while the traumatic situation persists. This will help prevent heart pain.

For nervous tension

Heart pain with severe nervous tension will be relieved by:

• Validol under the tongue;
• Corvalol (20 drops per quarter glass of water);
• a mixture of hawthorn and mint tinctures (15 drops each).

After a nervous breakdown

The heart hurts after a nervous breakdown due to the massive release of stress hormones. In this case, it is recommended to supplement the intake of sedatives (motherwort, valerian, Sedaphyton) with drugs that improve metabolic processes. They will help restore nutrition to the heart muscle, normalize its functions and resistance to stress factors. Shown:

• Kratal,
• Doppelhertz coenzyme Q10,
• Kudesan,
• Magnicum,
• Vitrum superstress.

When excited

If heart pain occurs during excitement, then taking herbal tinctures or extracts in tablets (hawthorn, motherwort, peony) will reduce them. A soothing tea is also prepared from herbs. For this use:

• mint leaf,
• hawthorn color,
• oregano herb,
• lemon balm leaves.

You can take one plant or mix 2-3 in any proportion. For a glass of boiling water you need a level teaspoon of plant material, the mixture is infused for 15 minutes. It is good to add half a teaspoon of honey to warm tea. You can drink 3-4 glasses of this drink throughout the day.

We recommend reading about pain in the heart when taking a deep breath. From the article you will learn about diseases (dry pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, etc.), which are characterized by pain in the chest when taking a deep breath. And here is more about the pain in the heart, radiating to the left arm.

Patient Questions

Why does your heart hurt when you are nervous and worried?

The pain occurs due to vasospasm and increased heart rate. This limits the flow of blood to the heart muscle. Lack of myocardial nutrition is felt as pain. To relieve symptoms, herbal sedatives are suitable - valerian, lemon balm, hawthorn, motherwort, mint.

Why does your heart hurt when you love?

Love experiences are perceived by the body as stress. He can respond to it by reducing blood flow to the myocardium, rapid pulse, and vasospasm. But it is not love that causes pain, but the reaction to it - negative or too strong positive emotions. There is no need to take medications. Walking, swimming, contrast showers, massage will help.

Can the heart stop from fear?

If there is no severe heart disease, then contractions will not stop even with severe fear. Such fears often arise during a panic attack. To get rid of it, you need smooth breathing - a short, normal inhalation and a maximally extended exhalation, breathing into a paper bag or closed palms.

Does the heart have nerve endings?

There are nerve fibers in the heart, they form plexuses and nodes. Their work is influenced by the brain, autonomic nervous system, and blood composition. In this case, rarefaction of the nerve changes excitability and contractility, rhythm, and conduction of impulses, but does not affect the sensation of pain. Pain syndrome is caused by a lack of myocardial nutrition.

Pain in the heart after stress is associated with the influence of reflex and hormonal mechanisms; its manifestations can be diverse; a characteristic feature is the absence of changes in the ECG and good tolerance to physical activity. The main methods of treatment are non-drug.

PMS can turn into panic attacks

— Can PMS be called a disease?

— It’s difficult to answer this question unambiguously. Maybe it’s time to consider PMS the norm, if now 80% of modern women have it? In addition, the manifestations of PMS vary significantly in strength. Depending on the number of symptoms and the severity of their manifestations, mild, moderate and severe degrees are distinguished.

— What symptoms are most common?

- Decreased mood, irritability, tearfulness, swelling, bloating, aching pain in the lower abdomen, engorgement and tenderness of the mammary glands. They can bother you from 2 to 10 days before the start of menstruation.

Associated symptoms:

1. Pain in the mammary gland
2. Dysphoria
3. Mood swings
4. Insomnia

— What then happens to women with severe PMS, with dysphoria?

— There may be surges in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, fainting, aching joints, and a migraine-like headache. Such women (about 10%) are unable to work 2-3 days a month. Dysphoric premenstrual disorder is also distinguished - this is a mental disorder that can include phobias, panic attacks, memory loss and concentration, insomnia, and inadequate reactions to the environment. According to Western studies, women are even hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals more often on the eve of their critical days.

Women are even hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals more often on the eve of their critical days.

— How is PMS treated?

— First of all, a woman must undergo a hormonal examination. Determine the level of estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones. And then the doctor will prescribe therapy that will balance the hormonal system. Complex complex treatment is required, aimed at combating specific symptoms. In addition to hormones, decongestants, sedatives, and physiotherapy are prescribed: massages, pearl baths, therapeutic showers.