Anxiety or panic attacks, characterized by symptoms like heart palpitations, chest pain, and breathlessness, can resemble a heart attack. However, symptoms of an anxiety attack typically peak quickly and subside within minutes, while heart attack symptoms persist or worsen.
A heart attack is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention, so if there's any doubt, it's crucial to seek help from emergency services.
Anxiety attacks and heart attacks share several symptoms including chest pain and shortness of breath. However, knowing the difference between these conditions can be critical as they require different responses.
Anxiety, the feeling of worry or nervousness, becomes problematic when it's severe enough to disrupt daily life.
AnxietyA panic attack is a sudden bout of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that might mimic those of a heart attack. Panic attacks occur when the body's "fight or flight" response is triggered without an immediate danger, causing terror and distress though it's not physically harmful.
Common symptoms during a panic attack include:
- Heart palpitations (rapid or irregular heartbeat sensation)
- Excessive sweating, chills, or hot flushes
- Trembling or shaking
- Difficulty breathing or feeling smothered
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Stomach upset, nausea, or choking sensation
- Sudden fear of dying, losing control, or "going crazy"
- Feeling detached from oneself (depersonalization) or surroundings (derealization)
A heart attack, on the other hand, is a serious, life-threatening event caused by restricted blood flow to the heart. It often results from blockages in the coronary arteries.
Heart AttackSymptoms of a heart attack can vary in severity and may include:
- Chest pain or discomfort, typically felt as pressure, tightness, or squeezing
- Pain spreading to the shoulder, arm, neck, jaw, or upper back
- Excessive sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Breathing difficulties
- Fatigue or unusual tiredness
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
The key differences between anxiety/panic attacks and heart attacks are:
- Triggers: A panic attack can happen unexpectedly or be triggered emotionally, while a heart attack is often (but not always) associated with physical activity.
- Onset: Symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly and intensely. Heart attack symptoms may start gradually but tend to worsen over time.
- Hallmark symptom: Panic attacks are characterized by intense fear or a sense of doom. For heart attacks, this is less consistent, though chest pain is most common.
- Character of chest pain: In panic attacks, chest pain is often sharp and localized, whereas in heart attacks it may feel like pressure and radiate to other areas.
- Duration: Panic attack symptoms usually fade within a few minutes to an hour. Heart attack symptoms continue and worsen.
Seek immediate medical assistance for any suspected heart attack symptoms, even if you have a history of anxiety or panic attacks.