In addition to feelings of worry and unease, anxiety can include a wide range of troubling symptoms, such as increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, and sleep problems. However, many of these experiences are also caused by other health conditions, so it's possible for some issues to be misdiagnosed. Some people may even have anxiety alongside the following conditions.
Health Issues That Are Sometimes Confused With Anxiety
1. Heart Disease
Heart conditions like coronary artery disease and hypertension can lead to increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and pain. These can even increase the risk of heart attack, an acute health issue where blood flow to the heart is blocked.
Panic attacks caused by anxiety mimic the pain and other symptoms that come with a heart attack, so making the distinction in an emergency situation can be difficult. If you have reason to believe you might be having a serious coronary episode, call an ambulance right away.
2. Crohn's Disease
If you’ve ever felt like your stomach is in knots when you’re nervous, you’ll understand the stomach discomfort and gastrointestinal symptoms that often accompany anxiety. However, Crohn’s disease is a gastrointestinal autoimmune condition that also causes abdominal discomfort and digestive issues. Anxiety can even cause symptoms to flare up, so these conditions often exist together.
3. Sleep Apnea
Difficulty sleeping is common for those with mental health needs. However, some sleep problems are caused by distinct physical health issues like sleep apnea.
With this condition, the ability to breathe is impeded throughout the night, causing frequent waking, snoring, and discomfort. A sleep study can rule out or diagnose this condition.
4. Asthma
Shortness of breath and lightheadedness can be caused by anxiety, asthma, or both. However, asthma symptoms occur due to inflammation in the lungs and airway. Treatment may include inhalers for acute symptoms or steroids to limit inflammation over time.