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Is it normal to feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest?

16 Answers
Last Updated: 09/07/2021 at 4:54pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
May 30th, 2016 1:18pm
as someone that has had anxiety before, i found that when i was anxious about something my heart would feel like it would explode out of my chest, being nervous about something or having an anxiety attack can both make your heart race, so yeah, its normal and if youre feeling this way and feel like youre not normal for it youre wrong :)
Robina
June 15th, 2015 8:49pm
It depends! Sometimes, this happens with anxiety, during panic attacks or high anxiety moments. But if this isn't normal for you, you should definitely check with a doctor.
Anonymous
June 18th, 2015 2:59am
Under anxiety or heavy emotion, when it's pounding so heavily, yes. It feels scary but the heart is just pumping blood incredibly fast through your veins because of the fight-or-flight response to high emotions.
EmmaSupportiveListener
February 26th, 2015 11:13pm
It's difficult to define normal. However I would say that it isn't normal to have your heart feeling like it's going to burst out of your chest. It could be a panic attack or something else. Best to see a doctor to get it checked out.
HealingLotus
April 21st, 2015 7:52am
Not exactly normal per say, it depends the circumstances, anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness, context and symptoms is everything.
BreatheOut99
February 26th, 2015 9:05pm
This can be a symptom of Anxiety. If you get these feelings for no reason (without physical exertion), you might be dealing with symptoms of Anxiety. Check out the Anxiety and panic attack self help guides if you are confused. And if you need to talk, just know that listeners are always here.
therapistnlistener
September 8th, 2015 6:17pm
It depends on the feeling, is it a health problem? If so seek medical help urgently. If it's an expression of what you are feeling, well you need to learn to control your anxiety.
Anonymous
March 6th, 2017 12:21am
Its not really normal but it could be a sign of anxiety or of a panic attack, pay attention to other things going on with your body at the same time and talk to your doctor or therapist about it for sure!
Anonymous
September 22nd, 2015 12:48pm
At the first pace you must find out the cause and reason for your anxiety then find the possible solutions to deal with the situation
KatieTheKrusher
May 16th, 2015 3:43am
While it is normal to feel like this if you're having an anxiety attack or just perform a lot of physical movement, I would suggest taking a seat for a moment and breathing deeply to calm your heart rate.
Anonymous
October 23rd, 2018 12:26am
Short answer, no. It could be a sign of any number of things and if you are having an abnormal increased heart rate and/or chest pain, then you really should see a doctor or get to a hospital as soon as possible just to rule out a heart attack or any heart issue. It is possible the feeling is coming just from stress or anxiety as well and it's something else you should look into and talk over with your doctor. If it ends up just being stress or anxiety, then it's probably time to work on trying to cut back or eliminate some things in your life causing the issue.
DaisyDaph
November 9th, 2020 9:23am
It seems like that description could be a symptom of a panic attack or extreme anxiety. The feeling of having your heart burst out of your chest occurs when you are going through an emotionally taxing moment, that you start to unexpectedly panic. However, it's not normal. Palpitations and panic attacks need to be given the utmost care and concern, mainly because the individual going through such situations feel completely helpless and it could cause complications with their general health. If you do experience this, it would be highly recommended to try and focus on your breathing first. Breathe steadily until your heart can get under control, to some extent. It would also be recommended to visit a therapist if the panic attacks persist. Take care.
CompassionateLotus
November 26th, 2020 12:09pm
Are you feeling a huge bout of anxiety, terror, or anger? Does your heart feel like this when you are in a particular emotional state? Aggravating emotions can feel like an enormous pressure cooker inside your body -- your chest feels constricted, your heart beats fast. Sometimes, we experience a lot of symptoms due to stress for a few days or weeks which we can adjust on our own. If you are experiencing pain due to anxiety and emotional triggers, you may consider deep breathing and meditation, or activities that can help take your mind off things like talking to other people (friends, family, therapists, or anyone who cares and can be there for you). However, if you are suffering from a physical injury, an infection, or serious physical condition (rather than just emotional triggers), you may want to see a doctor and seek medical attention. A rapid and erratic heartbeat can be a tell-tale sign of something more serious -- Atrial Fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase your risk of strokes, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Diabetes may also be another trigger for odd symptoms. A doctor can run tests to see if there's anything there. I would listen to my body if I were you, and consider whether I am experiencing: - A rapidly pounding or erratic heartbeat - Shortness of breath - Inability to sleep - Intense sensations - other physical symptoms like a cough or pain in other areas (e.g. neck, throat, mouth, hands, arms) Whether they are normal or not, your body conditions will tell you whether something is throwing you off balance. Remember to take care of yourself. You know your symptoms best, so I hope you'll stay mindful of them, and don't take the risk of assuming things are fine when they don't feel that way!
HelpingStarlight
July 3rd, 2018 8:58pm
It sounds to me like you're talking about having a 'racing heart', which can be caused by having a panic attack or possibly an anxiety attack. I'd recommend contacting your doctor, they can refer you to get a diagnosis if needed.
EricaA2000
March 23rd, 2021 8:53pm
well i would say sometimes it is normal but sometimes it is not. It is normal to feel that way if you are anxious or maybe sad. However, it should not always feel that way, and if it does i think it would be a good idea to see a doctor about it because there may be an underlying problem. From my personal experience i have had the feeling as if my chest was going to burst, i felt this feeling when my bf and i broke up, i was constantly down and crying. it only lasted a week or so and then went away.
Anonymous
September 7th, 2021 4:54pm
This is one of the symptoms of anxiety/panic attacks. I had suffered from panic attacks in the past and used to feel exactly the same whenever I came in contact with the triggering factors in any way. I used to feel as if either my heart would burst out of pain or it would stop beating all of a sudden. This feeling was followed by difficulty breathing in my case. I believe that anxiety and panic attacks occur differently for different people. I knew one of my friends who after a break up suffered panic attacks each time they missed their ex. For them, it was like rapid heartbeats, choking sensation in the throat, they also used to shiver a lot as if sitting on a big ice cube. Some of the useful self-help activities include - Exercising, diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation techniques such as guided imagery exercises, mindfulness, Exposure Therapy - Where a person exposes themselves to the triggering situation and learn to stay calm by practising it frequently. It is strongly recommended to visit a doctor if symptoms are unbearable; cannot be controlled by self-care activities; becomes worse or is experienced frequently by an individual. Wishing you the best!

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