How can I tell if I’m having a panic attack or a heart attack?

That is as a result of the signs of a coronary heart assault and panic assault are so comparable that it typically might be onerous to inform the distinction, mentioned Dr. Glenn N. Levine, chief of cardiology on the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Middle in Houston. “If doubtful, one would wish to err on the facet of warning and be shortly evaluated in an ER to verify this was not a coronary heart assault.”

Coronary heart assaults might be sudden and intense, however most begin slowly, with gentle ache or discomfort that regularly worsens over a couple of minutes. These episodes may come and go a number of instances earlier than the precise coronary heart assault happens.

A coronary heart assault occurs when the blood move that brings oxygen to the center muscle is severely decreased or reduce off, normally by blockage of coronary arteries. Calling 911 and getting quick remedy is vital.

But when a medical workup reveals your coronary heart well being is nice, then you definately may need had a panic assault – particularly if intense concern, the hallmark symptom, accompanied the bodily signs.

Thea Gallagher, an nervousness professional and scientific psychologist at NYU Langone Well being in New York Metropolis, usually sees individuals who have been via a battery of assessments, typically a number of instances. Regardless of getting a clear invoice of well being, they’re satisfied one thing is bodily incorrect with them. They don’t seem to be incorrect, she mentioned.

“It is not all in your head. It is the battle or flight response. The alarm system goes off. However with a panic assault, it is burnt toast – not the home on fireplace,” Gallagher mentioned.

Panic dysfunction is a sort of hysteria dysfunction that may trigger repeated panic assaults. In line with the Nationwide Institute of Psychological Well being, almost 3% of U.S. adults – particularly girls – expertise panic dysfunction in a given 12 months. Nearly 5% of U.S. adults expertise panic dysfunction at a while of their lives.

Nervousness turned rather more widespread after the pandemic began in March 2020. In 2019, 8.1% of U.S. adults surveyed reported current signs of an nervousness dysfunction, based on Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention data. By mid-July 2020, that had risen to 36.1%. And the speed stays elevated at 28.9%, based mostly on knowledge from early June 2022.

Panic assaults come on shortly and usually attain peak depth in about 10 minutes. They are often triggered by a traumatic occasion or main life stress, however additionally they can happen for no obvious purpose.

“They mess together with your head,” Gallagher mentioned. “Your mind cannot make sense of what is occurring.”

An individual’s response to a panic assault usually compounds the issue, she mentioned. “They begin avoiding conditions that would carry on a panic assault. For those who’re not tolerating and studying from these experiences, you are all the time on the mercy of them occurring once more.”

Gallagher mentioned publicity remedy is an efficient remedy for panic dysfunction, significantly a sort often known as interoceptive publicity. A psychological well being skilled makes use of a managed surroundings to show folks to the bodily sensations related to nervousness, thus lowering concern of these sensations. For instance, somebody who experiences a speedy heartbeat when anxious could also be requested to jog in place to get their coronary heart price up. As they understand nothing occurs to them, the concern of a quick heartbeat lessens over time.

Panic dysfunction is “very misunderstood however very treatable,” Gallagher mentioned. Publicity remedy is “truly a really empowering remedy, to see folks acquire management over it.”

And whereas a panic assault may make you’re feeling such as you’re having a coronary heart assault, an precise coronary heart assault is a medical emergency. Chest ache is the commonest symptom, however girls are considerably extra prone to produce other signs comparable to shortness of breath, nausea and again or jaw ache. A 2016 scientific assertion from the American Coronary heart Affiliation mentioned girls are undertreated for coronary heart assaults.

“Regardless of many years of effort to boost consciousness, it’s not appreciated by sufferers and docs that coronary heart illness is the No. 1 killer of girls,” Levine mentioned.

Consultants say ladies and men ought to focus on their danger of coronary heart assault with a well being care skilled, who can assist establish and deal with danger components comparable to smoking, diabetes, hypertension and excessive ldl cholesterol.

However, Levine warns, even folks with out danger components can have coronary heart illness. So, when doubtful, he mentioned, get signs checked out.

American Coronary heart Affiliation Information’ psychological well being protection is supported by Diane and Daniel Shimer. AHA Information is solely answerable for all content material and editorial choices.