Can You Distinguish A Panic Attack vs Heart Attack?
Channel: Panic Attack Recovery
Date: 13/01/2018

We discuss a panic attack vs heart attack and whether you can distinguish between the two. This is what many sufferers struggle with. We provide information that we intend to put your mind at ease.

Dr. Una McCann, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, states the following: “Panic attacks and heart attacks can share similar if not identical symptoms.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, a heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood through a coronary artery. A coronary artery is a blood vessel that feeds blood to a part of the heart muscle. This interruption of blood flow to the heart can damage or destroy a part of the heart muscle.

A panic attack typically occurs when the body releases a series of chemicals such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream which causes a series of physiological effects known as the “Fight or Flight” response – when no actual threat is present.

Such physiological changes can include a racing heart, dilated pupils, increased respiration, and other symptoms. This can cause psychological distress and one may begin to panic.

However, the whole process is a cyclical because your physiological symptoms can cause and/or increase your racing thoughts and worries.  This is because during a panic attack your thoughts begin to race and you are on heightened alert especially to physical symptoms. 

Moreover, your racing thoughts and worries can also cause and/or increase your physiological symptoms.

As you can see, a panic attack and a heart attack are not the same process.  If you have not had your symptoms checked with a doctor this should be your first step.  

Once you have your symptoms checked out and are reassured you are not having a heart attack, we would encourage you to move forward with evidenced based strategies to address your anxiety.

We utilize such strategies in our free newsletter, which covers the five steps to recovery from stress, anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia.

At Panic Attack Recovery we are former sufferers teaching others how to be proactive and take charge of their anxiety and panic attacks. We provide a comprehensive solution to anxiety so that you get better and stay that way! We'd love to have you subscribe and join us.

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