Panic attacks and heart attacks can feel similar but have different causes and treatments. Both can occur unexpectedly with intense physical symptoms, making it crucial to quickly distinguish between them. Knowing the differences is key to responding correctly, potentially saving a life, or managing a panic episode.
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a sudden and intense episode of overwhelming fear and anxiety that can occur unexpectedly.
These episodes are marked by physical and emotional symptoms that may seem similar to those of a heart attack. Here are some key aspects to understand about panic attacks:
- Sudden onset: Panic attacks typically begin abruptly and peak within minutes. 1
- Duration: They generally last a few minutes to half an hour, though some symptoms may persist longer.
- Causes: They can be triggered by stress, anxiety disorders, or sometimes without any apparent reason.
- Frequency: The occurrence can be random or in response to specific anxiety-inducing situations.
- Treatment: Management includes therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), medication, and lifestyle changes aimed at reducing stress and anxiety.
Signs it’s a panic attack
When you’re experiencing a panic attack, several signs can help you identify it:
- Rapid heartbeat: One of the most common symptoms is a racing heart —when your heart races uncontrollably. 1
- Intense fear or anxiety: Feelings of severe dread or fear that something awful might happen, often without any clear danger.
- Shortness of breath: You may feel unable to breathe properly or are suffocating.
- Trembling or shaking: Uncontrollable shaking that occurs without any physical reason for it.
- Sweating: Sudden, intense sweating not caused by heat or exercise.
- Chest pain: A sharp or stabbing sensation in the chest, which can be mistaken for a heart attack.
- Nausea or stomach distress: Upset stomach or nausea, often accompanied by digestive issues.
- Dizziness or light-headedness: A feeling of spinning or faintness, as if you might pass out.
- Numbness or tingling sensations: Pins and needles feelings, particularly in the hands, feet, or face.
- Chills or hot flashes: Sudden or intense heat without changing room temperature.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack, also known medically as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the flow of blood to a part of the heart is blocked for a long period, resulting in damage or death of that part of the heart muscle.
This is often caused by a build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, forming a plaque in the coronary arteries. Here are some important aspects to understand about heart attacks:
- Sudden or gradual onset: Symptoms can start suddenly or may come and go over several hours.
- Duration: While symptoms can peak quickly, they often persist longer than those of a panic attack.
- Symptoms: Common signs include persistent chest pain or discomfort, pain in the shoulder, arms, back, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, and lightheadedness.
- Causes: Major risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, and diabetes.
- Frequency: This can occur with physical exertion or stress but also unexpectedly at rest or during sleep.
- Treatment: Immediate medical attention is crucial; treatments might include medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes to manage heart health.
Signs it’s a heart attack
Here are the key signs that indicate a cardiac attack:
- Persistent chest pain: Often described as a feeling of pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and returns. 2
- Pain in other upper body areas: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath: This can occur with or without chest discomfort and is often described as a feeling of being winded.
- Cold sweat: Sudden sweating unrelated to physical activity or external temperature.
- Nausea or vomiting: Many people experience these digestive symptoms, sometimes mistaken for indigestion.
- Lightheadedness: In many cases, a heart attack can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.
- Unusual fatigue: Unexpected tiredness or feeling worn out can be a symptom, especially in women.
How to tell the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack
Distinguishing between a heart attack and a panic attack is crucial, as both conditions can present with overlapping symptoms but require very different treatments.
Symptom onset
- Heart attack: Symptoms of a heart attack often develop gradually and may start with mild pain or discomfort that escalates over minutes or hours.
- Panic attack: Symptoms of a panic attack typically occur abruptly and reach peak intensity within minutes.
Chest pain characteristics
- Heart attack: The pain is usually persistent and feels like a crushing or squeezing pressure in the chest. It can last more than a few minutes or go away and come back.
- Panic attack: Chest pain is more likely to be sharp and stabbing and may be more localized. It can intensify quickly and then dissipate.
Associated symptoms
- Heart attack: Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, and lightheadedness.
- Panic attack: Often accompanied by trembling, sweating, shortness of breath or smothering, feelings of unreality or detachment, fear of losing control or dying, numbness or tingling sensations, chills, or hot flashes.
Duration of symptoms
- Heart attack: Symptoms usually persist and often worsen until medical intervention.
- Panic attack: Symptoms generally subside after a few minutes, especially if the person removes themselves from a triggering environment or situation.
Emotional triggers
- Heart attack: Physical exertion or stress can precede the onset but can also occur during rest or sleep without any apparent trigger.
- Panic attack: Often occurs in response to stress or a feared situation, and the person may have a history of anxiety disorders.
Risk factors
- Heart attack: More common in individuals with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.
- Panic attack: This may occur in those with no physical health issues but who have experienced previous panic attacks or have a predisposition to anxiety disorders.
Response to medication
- Heart attack: Symptoms typically do not respond to relaxation techniques or anti-anxiety medication.
- Panic attack: Symptoms may improve with anti-anxiety medication or breathing exercises.
Physical exertion impact
- Heart attack: Symptoms may start or worsen with physical exertion.
- Panic attack: Physical activity might help reduce symptoms, as it can help regulate stress hormones.
If you’re unsure whether you or someone else is experiencing a heart attack or a panic attack, always err on the side of caution and seek immediate medical attention. Early intervention can be life-saving in the case of a heart attack and significantly help in managing panic attacks.
Treatment for panic disorder
Treating panic attacks involves a combination of treatment techniques tailored to the individual’s symptoms and needs. Some common approaches used to manage and treat panic attacks include:
Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is one of the most effective types of therapy for panic attacks. CBT focuses on identifying and changing the thought patterns and behaviors that trigger panic attacks, teaching individuals how to manage their anxiety and respond differently to their triggers.
- Exposure Therapy: This therapy involves gradual exposure to the fear object or context without any danger to help reduce panic and anxiety.
Medication
- Antidepressants: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are commonly prescribed for long-term treatment of panic disorder. They can help reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
- Benzodiazepines: These fast-acting sedatives can be used for short-term relief of acute anxiety and panic attacks. However, due to their potential for dependency and withdrawal, they are typically prescribed only for very short periods.
Lifestyle modifications
- Regular exercise: Physical activity can help manage anxiety by releasing endorphins and providing a focused activity that can distract from anxious thoughts.
- Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Practices like yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises can help regulate the body’s stress response and maintain calm.
- Adequate sleep: A healthy sleep routine can greatly reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation and stress management. 3
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol: These substances can exacerbate anxiety and panic symptoms, so reducing or eliminating them can be beneficial.
Emergency coping techniques
- Grounding techniques: Techniques such as the 5-4-3-2-1 method, which involves identifying things you can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste, can help divert attention from panic and anchor the person in the present moment.
- Controlled breathing exercises: Breathing slowly and deeply can counteract the rapid breathing during a panic attack, reducing symptoms and promoting relaxation.
Support groups and education
- Joining support groups: Sharing experiences and coping strategies with others facing similar challenges can provide emotional support and tips for managing panic attacks.
- Educational resources: Learning more about panic disorders and anxiety can help individuals understand their condition and reduce fear of future attacks by increasing a sense of control.
Final thoughts
Understanding the differences between a panic attack and a heart attack is crucial because they require different treatments. Knowing the signs can help you respond correctly and effectively manage symptoms in an emergency.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re unsure about your symptoms or need more information. Our experts are ready to help you understand your experiences and provide the support you need for your health and peace of mind.
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Sources
- 1. Bonevski, D., & Naumovska, A. (2019). Panic attacks and panic disorder. In R. Woolfolk, L. Allen, F. Durbano, & F. Irtelli (Eds.), Psychopathology – An international and interdisciplinary perspective. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86898
2. Fang, J., Luncheon, C., Ayala, C., Odom, E., & Loustalot, F. (2019). Awareness of heart attack symptoms and response among adults — United States, 2008, 2014, and 2017. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68(5), 101-106. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6805a2
3. Oh, C.-M., Kim, H. Y., Na, H. K., Cho, K. H., & Chu, M. K. (2019). The effect of anxiety and depression on sleep quality of individuals with high risk for insomnia: A population-based study. Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 849. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00849