Panic Attack vs Heart Attack
How to Tell the Difference
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Many people who experience a panic attack worry that they are having a heart attack. This concern is understandable because panic attacks can cause intense physical sensations such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a racing heart.
Although the symptoms can feel alarming, panic attacks and heart attacks are very different medical events. Understanding the differences can help reduce unnecessary fear and help individuals know when to seek medical attention.
Although the symptoms can feel alarming, panic attacks and heart attacks are very different medical events. Understanding the differences can help reduce unnecessary fear and help individuals know when to seek medical attention.
At Anxiety & OCD Treatment Specialists, we frequently work with individuals who experience panic attacks and develop fears about their heart health. Learning how anxiety affects the body is an important step in breaking the cycle of panic disorder.
In-person sessions are provided in Tampa and virtual sessions are available throughout Florida and New York.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense anxiety that activates the body’s fight-or-flight response. During a panic attack, the brain signals the body to prepare for danger, which causes several physical sensations.
Common panic attack symptoms include:
Common panic attack symptoms include:
- Rapid or pounding heart rate
- Chest tightness or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Tingling or numbness
- Nausea
- Fear of dying or losing control
Panic attacks typically peak within 10–20 minutes and gradually subside.
Although they feel frightening, panic attacks are not dangerous and do not damage the heart.
Although they feel frightening, panic attacks are not dangerous and do not damage the heart.
What Is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Common heart attack symptoms may include:
Common heart attack symptoms may include:
- Persistent chest pressure or pain
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold sweats
- Extreme fatigue
Heart attack symptoms often build gradually and persist longer than panic attack symptoms.
Key Differences Between Panic Attacks and Heart Attacks
Although the symptoms can overlap, there are several important differences.
Panic attacks often include:
- Sudden onset of symptoms
- Intense fear or sense of doom
- Symptoms that peak quickly and then decrease
- Episodes that resolve within minutes
Heart attacks often include:
- Persistent chest pressure or squeezing pain
- Pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back
- Symptoms that worsen over time
- Physical symptoms without a sudden surge of fear
However, because symptoms can overlap, any new or severe chest pain should always be evaluated by a medical professional.
Why Panic Attacks Can Feel Like Heart Attacks
During a panic attack, the body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline, which can produce powerful physical sensations.
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For example:
- Adrenaline can increase heart rate and cause pounding heart sensations.
- Rapid breathing can cause dizziness or tingling.
- Muscle tension can cause chest discomfort.
These sensations can easily be interpreted as signs of a heart problem, which increases anxiety and intensifies the panic response.
Panic Disorder and Fear of Heart Problems
Many individuals who develop panic disorder begin to worry that their panic symptoms indicate a serious heart condition.
This fear may lead to behaviors such as:
This fear may lead to behaviors such as:
- Monitoring heart rate frequently
- Repeated medical visits for reassurance
- Avoiding exercise due to fear of increasing heart rate
- Searching online for heart attack symptoms
Although these behaviors are meant to provide reassurance, they often reinforce the cycle of panic disorder by increasing attention to bodily sensations.
What to Do During a Panic Attack
When experiencing a panic attack, it can be helpful to remember that the symptoms are caused by the body’s stress response and will pass.
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Strategies that may help include:
- Slow, controlled breathing
- Allowing the sensations to pass without fighting them
- Reminding yourself that panic symptoms are not dangerous
- Reducing catastrophic thoughts about the sensations
Over time, learning to respond differently to panic symptoms can significantly reduce their intensity.
Treatment for Panic Disorder
If panic attacks are occurring frequently or leading to avoidance of daily activities, professional treatment can be very helpful.
At Anxiety & OCD Treatment Specialists, treatment for panic disorder often includes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and interoceptive exposure.
These approaches help individuals gradually become comfortable with the physical sensations associated with panic so that they no longer trigger fear.
When individuals stop fearing panic symptoms, panic attacks often decrease significantly or stop altogether.
When to Seek Medical Attention
It is always appropriate to seek medical care if you experience:
- New or unexplained chest pain
- Symptoms that do not improve
- Severe or persistent discomfort
A medical evaluation can rule out heart problems and help determine whether symptoms may be related to anxiety.
We Are Ready To Help
Treatment is available via video conference or phone in New York, and via video, phone,
or in-person sessions in Tampa, Florida.
or in-person sessions in Tampa, Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions About Panic Attacks and Heart Attacks
Can a panic attack feel like a heart attack?
Yes. Panic attacks can cause chest pain, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath, which can resemble heart attack symptoms.
How long does a panic attack last?
Most panic attacks peak within 10–20 minutes and gradually decrease.
Can panic attacks damage the heart?
No. Panic attacks are not harmful to the heart, although the symptoms can feel very intense.
What is the best treatment for panic disorder?
Evidence-based treatments such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and cognitive behavioral therapy are highly effective for panic disorder.
