Chest pain, faintness, and feeling out of breath may be symptoms of a panic attack and a heart attack. What happens within your body, though, is different in both situations.
This article will explain how to differentiate a panic attack from a heart attack and what to do if you experience either.
How to tell the difference between a panic episode and a heart attack
Panic attacks are episodes of intense anxiety that cause a strong physiological response. Heart attacks happen when blood flow to the heart is blocked, and the heart muscle does not receive the necessary oxygen.
Panic attacks do not block blood flow to your heart and, therefore, cannot cause a heart attack. However, living with an anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder, may increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease in the long run.
Symptoms
Panic attacks may last up to 30 minutes, although symptoms typically peak within the first 10 minutes before gradually subsiding.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), symptoms of panic attacks may include:
- increased heartbeat or heart palpitations
- dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- sweating
- shaking or trembling
- nausea or abdominal discomfort
- pain in your chest or abdomen
- feeling very cold or very hot
- shortness of breath
- tingling or numbness in your limbs
- feeling that your legs are turning to jelly and you cannot stand up
- an intense feeling of being in danger with thoughts that may focus on:
- not being able to control yourself
- having a heart attack
- fainting
- dying
The combination of anxious thoughts, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath in a panic episode may make some people feel they’re having a heart attack. Fear and concern may intensify your panic attack symptoms or make them last longer.
Even though a panic attack’s emotional and physical symptoms may feel overwhelming and scary, the episode itself is not dangerous or life threatening.
While panic attacks result in sudden and intense discomfort, heart attack symptoms typically develop slowly, starting with mild pain that gradually increases.
The symptoms of a heart attack may include:
- pain or heaviness in the center or left side of your chest
- pain, discomfort, and heaviness in one or both arms, neck, upper back, jawbone, or above the belly button
- shortness of breath at rest or during mild physical activity
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- unexplained sweating
- unexplained fatigue or tiredness during a few or many consecutive days
- sudden dizziness
Unexplained fatigue or tiredness during a few or many consecutive days and nausea and vomiting may also be heart attack symptoms, particularly in female adults.
Heart attack symptoms may lead you to have anxious thoughts about your health, and you may experience a sudden fear of dying. However, acute anxiety typically results from experiencing physical symptoms.
Symptoms of heart attacks are considered a medical emergency.
Causes
Panic attacks may be caused by a known trigger — like a phobia — or they may be unexpected and happen without a clear trigger. They result from your fight, flight, or freeze response to a perceived threat.
Heart attacks have many causes, including blockages in your arteries, embolism, and damage to your blood vessels. These all interfere with the oxygen supply to your heart muscle. Without enough oxygen, your heart will start to die.
What to do during a panic or heart attack?
If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, immediate medical intervention is important. Be sure to call your emergency services at once. You may feel inclined to “wait it out” to see what happens, but early intervention can be lifesaving.
If you are unsure whether you have a higher chance of experiencing a heart attack or would like to know more about ways to manage your heart health, consider contacting a health professional, even if you have not experienced any related symptoms.
If you have recurrent panic attacks, consider working with a mental health professional to find the root cause of these anxiety episodes. Panic disorder is a manageable condition, and relief is possible.
During a panic attack, it may not be easy to regain control. It’s natural to feel confused or anxious about what you are experiencing.
Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation regularly may help you manage panic attacks when they happen.
Breathing exercises during a panic attack may slow your heart rate and decrease the intensity of other symptoms. Focusing on your breathing at first may be challenging, but the more you practice it daily, the easier it may get.
You can perform breathing exercises anywhere and in any position. Here is one way to do them:
- Breathe through your nose as deep down in your abdomen as you can comfortably. Don’t force it.
- Breathe out with your mouth.
- Breathe in slowly again, trying to count from 1 to 5 as you do.
- Breathe out, trying to count again from 1 to 5.
- Repeat these steps for 5 minutes or as long as you need to feel calmer.
If you are unsure if you are having a panic attack or notice symptoms related to your heart, act on the side of caution and seek medical assistance.
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