Your heart is racing, your chest tightens, you feel short of breath. You ask yourself: Am I having a heart attack? Or is it a panic attack? Show
In the heat of the moment, it may be difficult to tell, especially if you’ve never had either. At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), we often care for patients with panic attack symptoms they’ve mistaken for a heart attack or vice versa. While heart attacks and panic attacks share some symptoms, they have distinct differences. Knowing how to tell them apart – then seeking the appropriate care – could save your life. What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack?A heart attack is a medical emergency in which part of your heart doesn’t get enough blood. This typically happens when a blockage in an artery either slows or stops the flow of oxygenated blood to your heart. Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person. Some will have intense, debilitating symptoms, while others may have mild symptoms. Men and women tend to present differently, too. Common heart attack symptoms include:
The most common heart attack symptom in men and women is chest pain, but the pain is often less intense in women. Women often experience heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, including neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper abdomen discomfort, sweating, unusual fatigue or a feeling like heartburn. Because heart attacks slow or stop the flow of oxygenated blood to your brain, minutes matter. If you are having heart attack symptoms or think you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. What Are the Symptoms of a Panic Attack?A panic attack is a sudden but brief episode of overwhelming anxiety and physical sensations of fear. Panic attacks happen when your fight or flight response is activated; your body prepares to protect you from a threat based solely on perception. While panic attacks are not life-threatening, they can be mentally and emotionally debilitating. Some of the physical symptoms may even feel like you’re having a heart attack, which can cause you to panic more. Common panic attack symptoms include:
Panic attacks usually pass within a few minutes, at most an hour. However, you may feel exhausted or drained for hours afterward. Focusing on your breath and recognizing that the episode will pass can help. How to Tell the DifferenceThe overlap in heart attack and panic attack symptoms can be confusing. Here are some key ways to tell them apart:
Still Not Sure?If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms and are not sure whether it’s a heart attack or panic attack, err on the side of caution. Heart attacks are emergencies that require immediate, life-saving medical care. Seek help immediately. To learn about TMH’s top accredited Chest Pain Center, visit TMH.ORG/Heart. To learn about TMH’s mental health services for patients with anxiety disorders, visit TMH.ORG/MentalHealth. Heather Lincicome, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and Administrator of the Tallahassee Memorial Behavioral Health Center. Heather also serves as Chief Liaison Officer for Apalachee Center. William C. Dixon, MD is an interventional cardiologist at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Southern Medical Group. Dr. Dixon serves as Medical Director for TMH’s Chest Pain Center. How do you know if you are having a panic attack or a heart attack?Both panic and heart attacks cause chest discomfort, but there is a difference. “With a heart attack, pain radiates to other areas like the arm, jaw or neck,” Dr. Miller says. “If it's a panic attack,” she notes, “pain will typically stay in the chest.”
Can you confuse a panic attack with a heart attack?People who suffer from panic attacks often say their acute anxiety feels like a heart attack, as many of the symptoms can seem the same. Both conditions can be accompanied by shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, sweating, a pounding heartbeat, dizziness, and even physical weakness or temporary paralysis.
How can you rule out a heart attack at home?Signs of a heart attack include:
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. - Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. - Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. (If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.)
How do I know if its heart or anxiety?The difference is that, when extra heartbeats in the upper and lower chambers are the cause of abnormal rhythm, symptoms may feel like an initial skip or hard thumping beat followed by a racing heart. When anxiety is the trigger, heart rate typically increases steadily rather than suddenly.
|