Anxiety does not directly cause death, but its severe effects can be indirectly life-threatening, making it a serious condition. The intense distress and physical toll associated with severe anxiety can escalate the risk of harm. These risks represent real, measurable threats to long-term health and well-being.
Understanding Acute Anxiety Symptoms
Severe, acute anxiety, particularly in the form of a panic attack, produces physical symptoms so intense they mimic a medical emergency. The sudden surge of adrenaline triggers the body’s “fight or flight” response, causing a rapid heart rate, known as tachycardia, and palpitations. This is often accompanied by chest discomfort or sharp pain, resulting from muscle tension and hyperventilation.
A person experiencing this acute episode may also feel lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, or struggle with shortness of breath, leading to a terrifying feeling of suffocation or imminent doom. These physical manifestations overlap significantly with symptoms of a heart attack, which is why emergency room visits for panic attacks are common. The episode itself, while subjectively feeling fatal, is typically temporary, peaking within about 10 minutes and resolving within 30 minutes, and does not cause permanent damage in a healthy heart. If there is any doubt about the cause of the symptoms, especially if the pain radiates to the arm or jaw, seeking immediate medical evaluation is the safest course of action.
The Long-Term Strain on Physical Health
Chronic, untreated anxiety exposes the body to a continuous flood of stress hormones. The sustained activation of the sympathetic nervous system means the adrenal glands constantly release cortisol and adrenaline, which are damaging when persistently elevated.
Long-term exposure to these hormones can lead to structural and functional changes in the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of hypertension and coronary artery disease. Chronic anxiety is independently associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and is linked to decreased heart rate variability. This perpetual state of tension can also contribute to system-wide inflammation, a biological process implicated in the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Elevated inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), have been observed in individuals with high anxiety levels.
The Connection to Suicidal Behavior
The most serious indirect risk associated with severe anxiety is the strong link to suicidal ideation and behavior. Persistent, overwhelming anxiety can create a state of chronic mental anguish and hopelessness, making the individual feel trapped in a cycle of fear and worry. This relentless mental turmoil can lead to the belief that the only escape is to end one’s life.
While anxiety disorders are independently associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts, the danger is significantly amplified when anxiety co-occurs with Major Depressive Disorder. This combination of intense fear, dread, and profound despair creates a highly volatile mental health crisis. Recognizing this co-morbidity is important toward understanding the primary route through which untreated anxiety can become life-threatening.
Immediate Steps for Crisis Situations
If a person is experiencing severe anxiety, a panic attack, or is having thoughts of self-harm, immediate intervention is necessary. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a confidential, free resource available 24/7 nationwide through call, text, or chat. This line connects individuals to trained crisis counselors who can provide compassionate support for mental health, substance use, or suicide crises.
In the moment of an acute panic episode, grounding techniques can help reconnect the mind to the present reality. One method is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, where a person names:
- Five things they can see.
- Four things they can touch.
- Three things they can hear.
- Two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste.
Simple, controlled breathing exercises, such as inhaling slowly for a count of four and exhaling for a count of six, can also help regulate the overactive nervous system. If symptoms are severe, such as radiating chest pain, or if the person is unsure whether the experience is anxiety or a medical emergency, calling 911 or seeking the nearest emergency room is the appropriate action.