After periods of ongoing stress or worry, the brain can become over-alert and start reacting as if there is danger, even when there isn’t. This is how anxiety works — it switches on the body’s alarm system, leading to symptoms like a racing heart, tightness, sweating in the palms and feet, and a sudden fear that something may go wrong. When tests like the ECG are normal, these episodes are usually related to panic or anxiety, not to a heart problem.
Next Steps
Many people who wish to recover with less reliance on medication find it helpful to focus on:
- Working with a mental health professional, especially a therapist, to understand and reduce the thought patterns that trigger panic
- Practising breathing, grounding, or mindfulness techniques to calm the body when symptoms start
- Including regular movement or gentle exercise to release built-up stress
- Keeping a routine that supports good sleep, meals, and rest, as physical exhaustion can worsen anxiety
Health Tips
It is important not to stop or change the prescribed medicines on your own. With the right mix of therapy, self-care, and medical guidance, these episodes usually become less intense and less frequent over time till it resolves completely. To know more about this, you can always reach out for help.