Panic attacks are a common condition that can be difficult to distinguish from heart attacks. If you're experiencing chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, it's important to know what's going on with your body and how to get help quickly. Panic attacks are not life-threatening and do not cause any permanent damage. However, they can be extremely frightening for people who have them--especially if they don't know what's happening or why they're having these symptoms in the first place!
What is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden and intense feeling of fear, anxiety and apprehension that can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain or shortness of breath. Panic attacks are often mistaken for heart attacks because they share some of the same symptoms (e.g., chest pain). However, unlike a heart attack--which occurs when there is actual damage to your heart muscle--a panic attack does not cause any physical damage to your body. Panic attacks usually last between 5 to 20 minutes but can feel like hours during an episode; most people experience them infrequently over time rather than all at once in one day or week. If you have had one or more panic attacks before and are experiencing another now:
Remain calm! Breathe deeply into your belly rather than shallow breaths from your chest area where it feels tight during an attack; this will help slow down your heart rate and relax tense muscles throughout the body.
Don't fight against what feels like an overwhelming wave; instead try relaxing into it until it passes over.
Focus on something else while waiting out an attack (e-mailing friends/family members who live far away; listening intently while someone talks)
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow to your heart muscle is blocked. This interruption prevents oxygen from reaching the cells, which can damage or kill them. The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes and feels like an intense pressure or tightness in the center of your chest. Other signs include shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, sweating and weakness on one side of your body (if you've had previous heart problems). Other studies have found that people who suffer from panic attacks are more likely to develop high blood pressure later in life than people who don't experience panic attacks (Kessler et al., 2005).
Similarities and Differences
Although panic attacks and heart attacks may feel very similar there are some important differences between them.
Similar symptoms, include:
Shortness of breath or feeling like you cannot breathe normally
Chest pain or discomfort
Feeling like your heart is racing or beating irregularly (palpitations)
Differences of panic attack and heart attack:
Panic attacks tend to last between 5 and 20 minutes, while heart attacks can last up to an hour or more.
The location of your chest pain. Panic attack sufferers often experience pain in their upper chest or neck area, while people with heart problems usually feel it in their lower chest.
Diagnosis and Treatment
As you can see, there are many similarities between panic attacks and heart attacks. However, there are also some key differences that make it important to get an accurate diagnosis if you think you may be experiencing one of these conditions. For example, if you're concerned about your health or feel like something isn't right with your body, it's important to speak with a medical professional who can help determine whether or not what's happening is actually a heart attack or simply a panic attack.
In addition to talking with your doctor about any symptoms or concerns that arise during an appointment--like chest pain--you should also let them know if there have been any recent changes in diet (such as eating more sodium), exercise habits (such as exercising less than usual), medications used regularly (including over-the-counter drugs), alcohol consumption levels (if any) and other lifestyle factors such as stress levels at work/home life balance issues etc..
While panic attacks may seem like heart attacks, there are actually several differences between the two conditions. The most important thing to remember is that if you experience any symptoms of a heart attack or panic attack, seek medical attention immediately. If you're feeling anxious about what's going on in your body, it might be helpful to talk with someone who understands what you're going through and can help put your mind at ease. If this sounds like something that would benefit you or someone else close to you, reach out!
Tannia, Licensed Anxiety Therapist
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