Because heart attacks are such a threat to our health, it’s wise to stay vigilant and aware of the signs. However, if you live with anxiety, or are prone to panic attacks, the two can seem very similar. If you or someone you know has panic attacks or is worried about their heart health, it’s important to learn the differences between the two types of attacks.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack vs. a Panic Attack
Heart attack symptoms
- Shortness of breath and racing heart:
- Tingling down arms and/or legs:
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Intense chest pain
Health note: If any of these symptoms last longer than 5 minutes, call 911 immediately, or have someone drive you to the emergency room.
Panic attack symptoms
- Shortness of breath and racing heart rate
- Chest pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Nausea
- Hot flashes
- Throat tightness
Many symptoms are similar between the two, which can cause fear and confusion. Though it’s better to be safe than sorry, frequent panic attacks ending at the ER may get expensive very quickly, and the underlying cause may go untreated. Or, serious heart conditions may go ignored because of a falsely-diagnosed panic attack.
Important Differences Between a Heart Attack and a Panic Attack
Despite many of the symptoms being the same, the duration and intensity of symptoms are usually stronger with a heart attack.
Chest pain resulting from a heart attack endures for more than 5 minutes and may spread into a wide area such as down the left arm, the back, and up into the jaw. However, many women do not report feeling crushing chest pain others associate with a heart attack. In this case, beware of the intensity of the other symptoms, particularly ones that may resemble the flu.
Chest pain from a panic attack, however, comes and goes, and may be localized to the chest area. Tingling and numbness also may spread to the legs or the right arm, where heart attacks tend to leave only the left arm numb.
A panic attack can range from 10 minutes to 60 minutes in duration. According to Alicia E. Meuret, a psychologist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, “A study based on 24-hour monitoring of panic sufferers while they went about their daily activities captured panic attacks as they happened and discovered waves of significant physiological instability for at least 60 minutes before patients’ awareness of the panic attacks.” Though the sufferer may feel a panic attack comes out of the blue, there are subtle changes that they were not aware of. If you feel you may be prone to panic attacks, ask someone to pay attention to your behavior. You may find that you hyperventilate, tremble, or suffer from hot and cold flashes before you suffer a panic attack.
Trouble Figuring it Out?
If you’re still not sure whether you’re experiencing a heart attack or a panic attack, stay on the safe side. Seek medical attention right away. No matter which it is, trying to tough it out or ignoring the symptoms can end in disaster. Ignoring a heart attack could result in death, while ignoring frequent panic attacks can only prolong your anxiety and suffering. Talk to your doctor or to a medical professional to get the help you need.