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Why Do Chest Muscles Tighten While Undergoing Panic Attack?

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Posted on Sat, 1 Aug 2015
Question: Why is it, in detail, when one has a panic attacks, ones chest muscles tighten up?

Why do they actually tighten up?

Does this affect circulation at all?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
See below!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about these panic attacks that you have reported. During panic attacks, there is excess secretion of the stimulatory hormone of which adrenaline and noradrenaline are the prototypes. These hormones act by stimulating the body. This explains why there is muscle contraction, increased flow to muscles, brain and eyes while there is decreased flow to the to stomach and other less needed organs for fight or flight. This is often accompanied by increased respiration, heartbeat, sweating, pounding heart etc.

In all, the muscle tightening is due response to releases hormones during panic attacks. Some structures have increased blood flow while some have reduced flow depending on its use in a flight or fight response.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (40 minutes later)
brilliantly explained thankyou....

Does it affect circulation of any kind...

Will my hands remain cold due to a panic attack?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No, your hands will warm up as blood flow increases!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The cold hands only last a little longer after the panic attacks has subsided. It will soon fade away.

I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (0 minute later)
does exercise reduce the excess hormone release?

I am finding not
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Exercise doesn’t!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Exercise will not reduce the amount of hormones released. However, exercise is a relaxation process that can help with coping with panic attacks. This means that you can actually respond better to attacks than persons who have no relaxation techniques.

I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (6 minutes later)
and why is it when I cry, the panic attack stops?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Maybe that’s a way of letting it go for you!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Panic attacks need relaxation techniques. Crying might be a way of relaxing for you, Maybe. If it helps, then use that to get over it.

I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 hours later)
it helps..

Would any type of laughter stop or ease the chest muscles from contracting?

Also what causes the sweating?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hormonal excitation causes sweating!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

hormones are responsible for the sweating. Laughter can help with panics if it is a relaxing technic to you. .This means that how each act plays out depends on how you relate with it.

Best wishes!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (33 hours later)
so apart from Diazepam ....it there any medication one can use permanently..that will ease the adrenaline hormone release?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There are any drugs, talk to your doctor for a possible prescription.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.

There are many drugs for panic attacks in addition to coping strategies. Talk to your doctor about this and all will be sorted out.

I wish you well.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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Why Do Chest Muscles Tighten While Undergoing Panic Attack?

Brief Answer: See below! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about these panic attacks that you have reported. During panic attacks, there is excess secretion of the stimulatory hormone of which adrenaline and noradrenaline are the prototypes. These hormones act by stimulating the body. This explains why there is muscle contraction, increased flow to muscles, brain and eyes while there is decreased flow to the to stomach and other less needed organs for fight or flight. This is often accompanied by increased respiration, heartbeat, sweating, pounding heart etc. In all, the muscle tightening is due response to releases hormones during panic attacks. Some structures have increased blood flow while some have reduced flow depending on its use in a flight or fight response. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.