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Key takeaways
Panic attacks and heart attacks share similar symptoms but have different causes, with panic attacks stemming from stress and heart attacks from blood flow blockage to the heart.
Diagnosis of panic versus heart attacks involves assessing symptoms, medical history, and specific tests like EKGs for heart health and blood pressure measurements for panic attacks.
Treatments for panic attacks include medication and therapy, while heart attack interventions require immediate medical attention, possibly including aspirin and clot-busting medicines.
Preventive measures for panic attacks focus on stress management and lifestyle changes, whereas heart attack prevention emphasizes a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol.
Symptoms | Panic attack vs. heart attack causes | Diagnosis | Treatments | Prevalence | Risk factors | Prevention | When to see a doctor | FAQs
The heart is one of the most important organs in an individual’s body. Its responsibilities include delivering oxygen and nutrients by pumping blood throughout our bodies. Thus, an issue originating in the heart can be very worrisome. Some of the symptoms of a panic attack and heart attack are similar, and knowing the difference between the two can potentially save your life.
A panic attack is the result of excess stress hormones causing an episode of intense anxiety. Meanwhile, a heart attack (not to be confused with cardiac arrest) occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked. This will lead to part of the heart receiving insufficient oxygen.
Symptoms
Panic attack
We must remember two specific elements when thinking of panic attacks. The first is that they can occur at any time without warning. The sudden nature of a panic attack can be dangerous. Whether anxiety attacks occur frequently or infrequently, there is no telling when one might strike.
The second thing to remember is that a panic attack will often have to run its course. Most panic attacks start abruptly and last a few minutes to an hour. Meditation and breathing exercises may help the panic attack subside or feel less overwhelming. Common signs of a panic attack include palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, hot flashes, fear of dying, and a sense of danger.
Heart attack
Chest pain is the number one preemptive sign of a heart attack, although chest pain is not always present in a heart attack. Any discomfort that lasts for a prolonged period is a symptom of a heart attack. What you want to look out for is a feeling of pressure, tightness, or chest discomfort.
This doesn’t extend exclusively to the chest. A feeling of pressure in the arms, shoulders, jaw, and neck can also be symptoms of a heart attack. Sudden fatigue is yet another indicator that a heart attack is occurring.
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Causes
Panic attack
A panic attack, also called an anxiety attack, is caused by the sudden triggering of the body’s fight or flight mechanism and is medically defined as “an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort.” It typically reaches peak intensity after a few minutes. Most of the time, the body’s response is not at all necessary. We can think of this as a false alarm. A panic attack can occur at any time. Even while an individual is sitting down watching television. The sudden feeling of intense fear and anxiety often gets confused for a heart attack.
Anxiety attacks are rather unpredictable. They can happen seemingly at random. If they are a regular occurrence, we no longer view this as a rare case. People who frequently experience panic attacks may have a panic disorder.
Of course, the major cause of panic attacks is stress. If you experience significant amounts of daily stress, then you are certainly at risk. Negative emotions also drastically increase your chances of experiencing a panic attack.
Heart attack
Blocking the flow of blood to the heart muscle is what causes a heart attack. There are many sections through which blood flows to the heart. If even one of these sections becomes blocked, a heart attack becomes a genuine possibility.
Therefore ischemic heart disease is the number one cause of heart attacks. This disease results in a buildup of a waxy substance inside of the coronary arteries. When the buildup becomes significant, it blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood that the heart requires, which leads to a heart attack.
Arteriosclerosis is a term to describe the buildup of plaque in the arteries over time. When said buildup ruptures inside of a vascular artery, we call this a blood clot. Blood clots have the potential to prohibit the flow of blood in your body. This blockage diminishes the health of your heart over time, making it more susceptible to a heart attack.
A major spasm of a coronary artery is another cause of a heart attack. This is less common than other causes mentioned above. The severe tightening blocks blood flow. This time, we can trace the spasms to certain prolonged causes such as cigarette smoking, ingestion of cocaine, or severe emotional stress.
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Diagnosis
Panic attack
Diagnosis of panic attacks isn’t all that complex. It is common for healthcare providers to request information regarding your past health and family history. These will act as strong indicators to whether or not you are at risk. And an assessment of your symptoms by your healthcare provider will allow an accurate diagnosis.
A physical examination can also be extremely revealing as a doctor monitors your heart rate and rhythm. Finally, checking your blood pressure can indicate anxiety due to the relationship between high-intensity stress and panic attacks.
Heart attack
Your healthcare provider or cardiologist will certainly keep an eye out for factors that can contribute to a heart attack. In addition, medical history and records can be a strong indicator of your risk of a heart attack. Test results are also vital in determining the risk or evidence of a recent heart attack.
One way to track the heart’s health is to take an electrocardiogram test (EKG or ECG). The test will determine your heart’s health by calculating its rhythm through the use of electrical signals.
Blood tests can also indicate if there are signs of an oncoming heart attack. When cells from your heart die, they release proteins. A simple blood test will indicate if there is an excess amount of these particular proteins. In severe cases, chest X-rays, as well as an angiogram, can provide live information regarding the condition of your heart.
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Treatment
Panic attack
Panic attacks are most often treated by administering anxiety medications such as Lexapro, Prozac, and Xanax. Although medication is proven to help, the most effective method is medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy. These two factors in tandem can effectively reduce stress and limit the chances of a panic attack.
Heart attack
Acting quickly is the key to diminishing the impact of a heart attack. Calling 911 as soon as symptoms appear can potentially be a life-saving action. It is common for medical personnel to begin treatment immediately over the phone. They will likely recommend aspirin to limit damage from additional blood clots. When paramedics arrive, they will attempt to re-establish blood flow from your arteries to your heart. Medical experts will also administer clot-busting medicine. And a stay in the hospital will likely be needed to ensure recovery, along with lifestyle changes to prevent future occurrences.
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Prevalence
Panic attack
Panic attacks, a prevalent anxiety disorder, are more frequent than heart attacks; however, they are not life-threatening. About 2.7% of Americans between the age of 15 to 54 have a panic disorder, and up to one-third of all individuals may experience a panic attack in their lifetime. Panic attacks tend to affect females (3.8%) more than males (1.6%). Surprisingly, most people with panic disorder remain untreated.
Heart attack
A heart attack is a severe life-threatening event. Every 40 seconds, a person in the United States has a heart attack; there are an astonishing 805,000 cases a year.
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Risk factors
Panic attack
We know that panic attacks tend to affect more women than men. However, age also factors into the equation. The most at-risk age are those in the late teens to early adult range. This age group often experiences poor stress management.
Heart attack
Those who live a traditionally unhealthy lifestyle are at a greater risk of experiencing a heart attack. Family history also plays a part. If heart disease runs in the family, you may be at greater risk of a heart attack.
Age is also a factor as older people have higher blood pressure (hypertension). Essentially, any factor that alters blood pressure and blood cholesterol can have an impact on your heart. Smokers also run a greater risk.
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Prevention
Panic attack
Preventive measures to avoid panic attacks may include meditation, stress management strategies, yoga, and medication. Many who experience anxiety attacks do not get treatment, and the panic feelings go unchecked—but treatment can help limit the frequency of panic attacks. See your primary care provider to help develop an individualized treatment plan. Then, it will be up to you to maintain the plan. Lastly, physical activity helps decrease anxiety in general.
Heart attack
Most preventive measures to decrease the chances of a heart attack involve lifestyle changes to keep your heart as healthy as possible. This includes diet and exercise as well as stopping harmful habits such as smoking. In addition, medications can manage high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
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When to see a doctor for a panic attack or heart attack
As previously mentioned, most people who experience panic attacks often do not seek help. Seeking medical help can effectively reduce the frequency of panic attacks. Requesting medical assistance is always highly recommended.
Because heart attacks and panic attacks share some common symptoms, it is always recommended to seek immediate medical attention, call 911, or go to the emergency room if you experience intense chest heaviness or shortness of breath. Heart attacks can be life-threatening; thus, waiting for the pain to cease is not a recommended option.
Frequently asked questions about panic attacks and heart attacks
How do I know if I’m having a heart attack or panic attack?
It is difficult to differentiate between a heart attack and a panic attack. The factor that separates a panic attack and a heart attack is often your risk factors. If you are obese, sedentary, smoke, and have never had a panic attack, when you have chest pain and shortness of breath, it is more likely you are having a heart attack than a panic attack. The circumstance in which the pain arises is important. It is more common for heart attacks to occur when you are exerting yourself—yet you can also have a heart attack at rest. In contrast, panic attacks occur more frequently in a resting environment, but can also occur with activity.
How do I know if my chest pain is anxiety- or heart-related?
To know if chest pain is psychological or cardiac, you will need emergency department care. Chest pain that is heart-related will have EKG changes and the heart also releases enzymes into the bloodstream that can be detected by lab work. A panic attack is relatively benign. This is considered a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that if you have chest pain or shortness of breath, you need to rule out a heart attack as a heart attack is possibly deadly.
How do you rule out a heart attack?
A patient needs to be seen urgently to rule out a heart attack. This is done in the emergency department.
What is cardiac anxiety?
Cardiac anxiety is an issue of the psyche. This diagnosis can only occur once a cardiologist has ruled out cardiac disease, which may include a treadmill stress test or catheterization of the cardiac blood vessels. Constant worry about heart health can lead to “cardiac anxiety.” It is a vicious circle that traps someone in a state of alarm. When constantly worrying about the heart’s health, the individual places the heart under unnecessary stress.
Can you have a heart attack due to anxiety?
While anxiety cannot directly result in a heart attack, chronic anxiety can weaken the heart to the point where it is more susceptible to a heart attack. Constant stress can weaken the strength of your heart. Thus anxiety has a long-term relationship with heart attacks so it’s important to learn the warning signs in the body and on mental health. Seek professional help before anxiety takes its toll on your health and wellness.
Can panic attacks damage your heart?
Once again, the effects aren’t immediate nor are they direct; however, there are long term consequences related to the heart for those who experience frequent panic attacks. Studies have proven that those who experience panic attacks frequently have a greater chance of experiencing a heart attack later on in life than those who do not experience anxiety attacks.
