A heart attack and a panic attack have many similar symptoms, so determining which one it is is crucial, experts say.
Chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and sweating can occur with both, but only a heart attack can be fatal, according to a team from Penn State Health.
A heart attack occurs when a blockage in an artery restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. Symptoms continue until a person receives emergency medical treatment. With a panic attack, the symptoms can last for 20 minutes and then disappear.
However, only a health professional can confirm a heart attack or a panic attack, so any common symptoms should be taken seriously, the experts said.
Men 45 and older and women 55 and older are at higher risk of a heart attack than younger men and women. Others at high risk include people with high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or a family history of heart attack.
“If a young person experiences chest pain with no risk factors, the chances of having a heart attack are very small,” said Dr. Rajesh Dave, an interventional cardiologist at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, in a Penn State press release. .
“But chest pain in a 50-year-old man who has been a long-time smoker with a 20-year history of diabetes is most likely indicative of a heart attack and needs urgent medical attention,” added Dave.
Stress and anxiety are the main risk factors for panic attacks, but anxiety can also be linked to a heart attack.
Heart attack patients often have some symptoms in the days or weeks before the attack, and heart attacks occur most often during physical activity. Panic attacks usually occur when a person is resting and can be caused by a trigger for anxiety, such as receiving bad news.
People who have a panic attack should sit in a quiet, dark place and take a deep breath to slow their heart rate.
Dr. Michael Farbaniec, a cardiologist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, said, “If you don’t know if it’s a panic or a heart attack – or if you just want to be sure – call 911 and be seen right away. “
You can reduce your risk of a heart attack by eating a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly, Dave said. Panic attacks can be prevented by stress-reducing techniques such as meditation and yoga.
“And quitting smoking reduces the risk of both panic and heart attacks,” advised Dave.