Panic attacks: symptoms and distinction from heart problems

Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that reach their peak within a few minutes and are accompanied by a series of overwhelming physical and cognitive symptoms.

It is crucial to distinguish them from other medical conditions, such as a heart attack, due to the similarity of some symptoms.

Symptoms of a Panic Attack

A panic attack is characterized by the sudden onset of at least four (or more) of the following symptoms:

• Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate.

• Sweating.

• Trembling or shaking.

• Feeling short of breath or suffocating.

• Suffocating sensation.

• Chest pain or discomfort.

• Nausea or abdominal discomfort.

• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint.

• Chills or a feeling of warmth.

• Paresthesias (a feeling of numbness or tingling).

• Derealization (a feeling of unreality) or depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself).

• Fear of losing control or "going crazy."

• Fear of dying.

The experience is so intense that many people go to the emergency room believing they are having a serious medical event.

Differences Key Between Panic Attack and Heart Attack

Although some symptoms such as chest pain and palpitations may overlap, there are important differences:

• Chest Pain: In a heart attack, the pain is usually pressing, like a pressure or heaviness, and may radiate to the left arm, jaw, or back. It is often triggered by physical exertion and worsens over time. In a panic attack, the chest pain may be more stabbing or sharp, come on suddenly with no necessary relation to exertion, and symptoms tend to resolve within minutes.

• Other Symptoms: In a panic attack, tachycardia (racing heart) is often very prominent, along with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and intense fears of dying or losing control. Although a heart attack can also be scary, the general symptom picture differs.

When in doubt, especially if there are cardiac risk factors,It is always crucial to seek immediate medical attention to rule out a serious medical condition.