Distinguishing Panic Attacks from Heart Attacks

Panic attacks and heart attacks can have similar symptoms, leading to confusion and patients going back and forth between cardiologists and psychiatrists. This article post will help you understand the key differences between panic attacks and heart attacks, including their symptoms, triggers, and duration.

Table of Contents

• What is a Panic Attack?
• What is a Heart Attack?
• Panic Attack Patients Often Seek Cardiology First
• Symptoms of Panic Attacks vs. Heart Attacks
• Timing of Symptoms
• Triggers and Onset
• Other Distinguishing Symptoms
• Getting the Right Diagnosis
• Takeaways and Key Differences

What is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense fear and anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, and dizziness. It is a psychiatric condition that often requires a thorough psychiatric evaluation to diagnose properly. Patients experiencing panic attacks may also undergo physical examinations to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when one or more coronary arteries become completely blocked, leading to a lack of blood flow to the heart. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, jaw or back pain, and pain in the arms or shoulders. Unlike panic attacks, heart attack symptoms are indicative of a serious medical emergency and require immediate medical attention.

Panic Attack Patients Often Seek Cardiology First

Studies have shown that 77% of panic attack patients initially seek cardiology services, often presenting with symptoms related to heart conditions. This trend leads to patients seeking medical evaluation in cardiology before considering psychiatric assessment, as panic attack symptoms can often be mistaken for other medical conditions. As a result, these patients commonly end up in other departments before being directed to psychiatric care.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks vs. Heart Attacks

Panic Attack Symptoms

• Sudden intense fear and anxiety
• Sweating and trembling
• Increased heart rate and shortness of breath
• Chest pain, nausea, and dizziness

Panic attacks typically last for 10-20 minutes and are characterized by a sense of impending doom and a feeling of detachment from the surroundings.

Heart Attack Symptoms

• Chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating
• Nausea, jaw or back pain, and pain in the arms or shoulders
• Prolonged and severe symptoms lasting more than 20 minutes

Unlike panic attacks, heart attack symptoms are often accompanied by a sense of impending doom and are not triggered by anxiety or fear. Additional symptoms such as pain radiating to the jaw or arms are indicative of a heart attack.

Timing of Symptoms

Panic attacks typically last for 10-20 minutes before the individual starts to feel better. In contrast, symptoms of a heart attack generally persist for more than 20 minutes. During a panic attack, there is an initial feeling of constriction, followed by a sense of fear and the fear of death, then chest pain. On the other hand, in a heart attack, chest pain precedes the feeling of fear, indicating that if fear triggers the symptoms, it will usually manifest itself, whereas in a panic attack, chest pain is the initial symptom.

Triggers and Onset

Panic Attack Onset and Triggers

• Sudden onset of intense fear and anxiety
• Triggers include fear, stress, or anxiety
• Manifests as chest pain after the initial feeling of fear

Panic attacks are often triggered by specific situations or circumstances that induce fear, stress, or anxiety, leading to the onset of physical symptoms such as chest pain.

Heart Attack Onset and Triggers

• Chest pain as the initial symptom
• Triggers include physical exertion or blockage of coronary arteries
• Subsequent onset of fear and anxiety

On the other hand, a heart attack is often triggered by physical exertion or the complete blockage of coronary arteries, resulting in chest pain as the initial symptom, followed by the onset of fear and anxiety.

Other Distinguishing Symptoms

When differentiating between panic attacks and heart attacks, it's important to consider additional distinguishing symptoms. In panic attack patients, shortness of breath typically develops before the onset of chest pain, while in heart attack patients, shortness of breath occurs after experiencing chest pain. Additionally, a feeling of being unable to take a deep breath is often the first symptom after fear in panic attacks, whereas in heart attacks, chest pain precedes the sensation of breathlessness. The timing of shortness of breath is a critical factor in distinguishing between panic attacks and heart attacks.

Trembling as a Symptom

• Panic attack patients often report trembling
• Trembling is not a common symptom of a heart attack

Trembling is more prevalent in panic attacks and is often associated with intense emotional distress, which is not commonly observed in heart attacks. Therefore, the presence of trembling can be indicative of a panic attack.

Associated Risk Factors

• Individuals with risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes are more likely to experience heart attacks
• Young individuals with no risk factors and sudden onset of palpitations, breathlessness, or chest discomfort are more likely to be experiencing panic attacks

Considering the presence of associated risk factors is crucial in distinguishing between panic attacks and heart attacks. Older individuals with known risk factors for heart disease are more likely to be experiencing a heart attack, while young individuals with no such risk factors are more likely to be experiencing panic attacks.

Getting the Right Diagnosis

When experiencing symptoms that could be indicative of either a panic attack or a heart attack, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Given the similarities in symptoms, it is essential to undergo a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional to receive an accurate diagnosis. While panic attack symptoms may mimic those of a heart attack, it's important not to self-diagnose and seek the expertise of both cardiology and psychiatry specialists to ensure the correct diagnosis.

Takeaways and Key Differences

Accurate Diagnosis

Seeking medical evaluation from both cardiology and psychiatry specialists is crucial in accurately diagnosing panic attacks and heart attacks, given the similarities in symptoms.

Risk Factors

• Panic attack risk factors include young age and sudden onset of symptoms without known risk factors for heart disease.
• Heart attack risk factors include smoking, hypertension, and diabetes, particularly in older individuals.

Understanding the associated risk factors for each condition can aid in differentiating between panic attacks and heart attacks.