What to Do When Anxiety Makes Your Heart Race

A racing heart is one of the most common and unsettling symptoms of anxiety.

It can come on suddenly and feel intense, especially if you’re not expecting it. Many people understandably worry that something might be wrong physically when it happens.

If this is something you’ve experienced, you’re not alone.

In Episode 3 of the Dan Regan Hypnotherapy Podcast, created in association with Spotted in Ely, I focus on what you can do in the moment when your heart starts racing and how to respond in a calmer, more helpful way.

 

Quick Summary

A racing heart is one of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety and can often feel frightening when it happens.

In this episode you’ll discover:

• why anxiety can make your heart race
• why the sensation feels so alarming
• what to do when it happens
• how understanding the symptom can help reduce fear

Many people find that once they understand what is happening, the symptom becomes far less frightening and easier to manage.

 

Related Resources

You may also find these helpful:

• Dan Regan Hypnotherapy Podcast
• Anxiety Support Hub
• Physical Anxiety Symptoms
• Why Anxiety Makes Your Heart Race
• How To Calm Anxiety In The Moment
• Why Anxiety Isn’t Going Away On Its Own

These resources can help you better understand anxiety symptoms and respond to them with greater calmness and confidence.

 

Understanding What’s Happening

If you’d like a full explanation of why anxiety can cause your heart to race, you can read more about it here:

Why anxiety makes your heart race

In short, this response is part of the body’s natural “fight or flight” system. It’s designed to protect you, even when there’s no real danger present.

 

Why the Sensation Feels So Intense

When your heart starts racing, your mind often reacts quickly.

You might think:

• What’s happening to me?
• Why is my heart beating so fast?
• Is something wrong?

These thoughts are completely understandable, but they can increase the sense of urgency, which keeps the cycle going.

Although a racing heart is simply your body’s natural fear response, it can feel frightening when it appears unexpectedly. The more attention and alarm you give it, the more adrenaline and anxiety you create, which can make the sensation feel even stronger.

 

What to Do in the Moment

One of the most helpful things you can do is change how you respond to the sensation.

Rather than trying to stop it immediately, you can acknowledge what’s happening:

“This is anxiety. My body is trying to protect me.”

“My heart is accelerating but I am safe”

Then gently slow your breathing and allow your body time to settle.

The goal isn’t to make the sensation disappear immediately. The goal is to teach your mind and body that the sensation itself is safe.

This isn’t about forcing the feeling away. It’s about helping your nervous system recognise that the sensation is not dangerous.

Your aim is to respond calmly to your own physical sensations.

 

Why This Approach Helps

When the brain learns that a racing heart does not require urgent action, it begins to reduce the intensity and frequency of the response.

Over time, what once felt alarming can begin to feel more manageable.

Instead of reacting with fear and panic, you learn to stay calmer and more in control. That means the sensation is less likely to escalate into a full cycle of anxiety and physical symptoms.

 

Listen to the Full Episode

Listen to Episode 3: Why Anxiety Makes Your Heart Race

In case you missed it, you can find previous episodes here:

Introductory trailer: Dan Regan Hypnotherapy Podcast

Episode 1: Understanding anxiety

Episode 2: Overthinking and Anxiety

 

A Quick Reassurance

If your heart races at times, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It usually just means your body is responding to stress in a very natural way.

And when you understand what’s happening, it often becomes much less frightening.

It’s just a feeling, you are safe and the feeling can come back down again.

You can learn more about anxiety patterns here: Understanding anxiety in Ely

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety and a Racing Heart

Can anxiety really make your heart race?

Yes. Anxiety activates the body’s fight-or-flight response to prepare you for action to deal with a threat. This can increase your heart rate even when there is no physical danger present.

Why does a racing heart feel so frightening?

Many people automatically interpret the sensation as a sign that something is wrong with them. You focus upon it and this creates more anxiety and panic, which then makes the symptom feel even stronger.

Should I try to stop my heart racing immediately?

Many people find it more helpful to acknowledge what is happening, remind yourself you are safe and okay, and so allow the nervous system time to settle rather than fighting the sensation. As well as being able to calm the feeling when it happens, you can also learn to feel more calm so it happens less.

Does understanding anxiety symptoms help?

Very often. Understanding why symptoms happen can reduce fear and help break the cycle of anxiety and physical sensations.

Can hypnotherapy help physical anxiety symptoms?

Many people find hypnotherapy helps reduce anxiety, fear and hypervigilance, making physical symptoms feel less intense and less disruptive. Over time you can experience the feelings less frequently.

 

Personalised Support for Anxiety

If physical symptoms of anxiety are affecting your day-to-day life, personalised support through anxiety hypnotherapy in Ely can help.

You can find out more about anxiety hypnotherapy in Ely, read reviews, or book a free consultation here: Book your free consultation

You can also hear from people who have experienced anxiety and overthinking and describe how things began to change for them here: Real Client Experiences

To your health and happiness,

Dan Regan

Anxiety Therapy and Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

 

Could you use some help with anxiety in Ely, Newmarket or Online? Struggling with anxiety, stress, worry and fear and need some help? Contact me to book your Free Anxiety Consultation: Contact Dan

Find out what hundreds of other people have said after their anxiety hypnotherapy sessions in Ely with Dan: Hypnotherapy Testimonials

And check out these popular and powerful hypnosis downloads that can start helping you right away with anxiety, confidence and more: Hypnosis Downloads