A heart attack and a panic attack share many similar symptoms, so it is crucial to determine what it is, experts say.
Chest pain, a racing heart, shortness of breath and sweating can occur with both, but only one heart attack can be fatal, according to a team at Penn State Health.
A heart attack occurs when a blockage in an artery restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. The symptoms continue until the person receives emergency medical treatment. In a panic attack, symptoms can last for 20 minutes and then disappear.
However, only a healthcare professional can confirm a heart attack or panic attack, so any of the common symptoms should be taken seriously, experts said.
Men aged 45 and over and women aged 55 and over have a higher risk of heart attack than younger men and women. Others at high risk include people with high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome or family history of heart attack.
“If a young person without risk factors experiences chest pain, the likelihood of a heart attack is very low,” Rajesh Dave, an interventional cardiologist at Penn State Health Medical Center, said in a Penn State press release.
“But chest pain in a 50-year-old man who is a longtime smoker with a 20-year history of diabetes probably indicates 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 associated with a heart attack.
Heart attack patients generally experience some symptoms in the days or weeks before the attack, and heart attacks occur more frequently during physical activity. Panic attacks usually happen when a person is resting and can be caused by an anxiety trigger, such as receiving bad news.
People who are having a panic attack should sit in a quiet, dark place and take a deep breath to help lower their heart rate.
Dr. Michael Farbaniec, a cardiologist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, said: “If you can’t tell if it’s a panic or a heart attack – or just want to be sure – call 911 and be seen immediately.”
You can reduce your risk of heart attack by eating a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly, Dave said. Panic attacks can be prevented through stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and yoga.
“And quitting smoking will reduce the risk of panic and heart attacks,” advised Dave.