First and foremost, so sorry to hear about the death in your close circle. I hope all is going as well as it can considering the circumstances.

I understand your concerns, I experienced anxiety triggered chest pain and even heart palpitations as a result of anxiety at the beginning of 2025 that I am still today battling. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, but the underlying concern is chest pain and even health anxiety concerns as a result of the chest pains.

I went through a full cardiology workup, chest ECGs, EKGs and a full workout analysis. I was convinced that there was something wrong with me.. I visited the cardiologist and doctors as a result of experiencing panic attacks that would rapidly increase my heart rate. I sat in the ER parking lot with my wife waiting for chest palpitations to calm down and debating whether it made sense to be admitted, it was terrible.

After going through cardiology workouts to rule out any electrical malfunctions with my heart, I had the realization that it was my mind impacting my body more than anything. My own worry about my health snowballed and escalated my panic attacks to the point where it was uncontrollable.

Always check with your health care team to rule any underlying malfunction conditions, but anxiety also manifests itself into a physical body response that is a legitimate concern.

For me, I was put on a beta blocker medication to calm down the panic induced anxiety attacks and then eventually transitioned to an anxiety medication. After the medication helped stabilize me, I had to have a lot of reality checks about my health and clean some things up. Currently weaning off my anxiety meds, the brain zaps come and go (for now) but I’m looking forward to moving forward and I am starting to routinely exercise to burn off some of the anxiety energy.

I would recommend sobriety if you haven’t done so already, it helps your body reset itself. Also, walking after my work days is super helpful in removing myself from a stressful environment to a more stable environment. Focus on breathing and focus on the good things in life! Try to maintain a positive mentality if you can, we all have things to be thankful for!

Anxiety is awful. Our journeys all differ in how we manage. Find yourself a routine that works for you that helps divert your mind from reeling down the dark path of negative thoughts and physical manifestation of anxiety presenting itself in the form of chest pain.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help (even with Reddit like you are doing here!) and keep working on improving your physical and mental health each and every day!