Why Young Men Are Calling Ambulances for Anxiety Mimicking Heart Attacks

Anxiety disorders are more common among men than traditionally recognized, yet many young men still face stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health. Approximately 20% of Australian men experience anxiety during their lives, but societal expectations often discourage them from seeking help. Instead, many wait until symptoms become overwhelming, leading some to contact emergency services believing they are suffering a heart attack.

Research indicates that young men, especially those aged 15 to 25, often experience intense physical symptoms linked to anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, body pains, tremors, and headaches. These physiological signs can easily be mistaken for serious medical conditions, prompting urgent ambulance calls. For example, Joshua, a 22-year-old, felt numb and experienced muscle spasms while returning home, confusing his anxiety symptoms with a life-threatening event.

The cultural upbringing of boys and men emphasizes toughness, discouraging emotional vulnerability. As a result, many grow up believing that experiencing anxiety or vulnerability contradicts masculinity, leading to underdiagnosis and untreated mental health issues. Although awareness campaigns are gradually challenging these stereotypes, men's anxiety remains under-recognized, with dangerous health consequences including increased risk of substance misuse and suicide.

Men often describe anxiety as feelings of being out of control, persistent worries, and physical sensations like racing heart or panic. Public figures sharing their struggles, such as Jack Steele from Inspired Unemployed, help normalize these experiences but many men still do not seek help early. Instead, they turn to emergency services in crises, an action that requires significant resources and highlights the need for better mental health support pathways.

A recent study analyzing ambulance data from Victoria, Australia, showed that anxiety accounts for up to 10% of male mental health calls, surpassing other conditions like depression. Common presentations include sudden, intense bodily symptoms that mimic heart issues, or anxiety triggered by substance use, and cases where mental health worsening leads to self-harm or suicidal ideation.

Responding effectively to these incidents involves not only immediate reassurance but also establishing early, accessible mental health support. To achieve this, the medical community recommends increased dialogue around men's anxiety, targeted awareness campaigns, enhanced training for clinicians in recognizing male-specific anxiety symptoms, and digital resources designed to improve understanding and early intervention.

Addressing stigma and providing support is crucial to prevent repeated emergency calls and to promote healthier coping mechanisms among young men. Creating a supportive environment where men feel comfortable discussing anxiety and seeking help is imperative for improving mental health outcomes.