Difference Between Panic Attack and Heart Attack

Author: Andrew Lim

It started with a tingling sensation in your chest...gradually, your chest muscles starts to tighten and it becomes more and more painful with each passing minute. You also notice that you heart is beating faster and faster and you can actually "feel it" thumping madly against your chest. The immediate thought of "heart attack" or "stroke" flashes into your mind...as you start feeling light-headed and numb, you begin to believe that you are indeed suffering from heart attack...or is it?

One of the most worrying symptoms of panic attack is heart palpitations and this can often lead to the assumption of "heart attack", something which you would not want to associate yourself with. It is easy to mistake both of them as they share several common symptoms. However, there is a clear difference between panic attack and a heart attack.

In a real heart attack, sufferers will experience a crushing sensation inside the chest and this pain is continuous. In fact, you DO NOT hear your heart beating during a heart attack, nor do you care - the crushing pain is the only thing you can feel. For panic attacks, you can actually feel the rapid heartbeat, in addition to other worrying symptoms. You are never in any real danger during a panic attack, you are just panicking.

The surest way is of course to go for a medical examination and request for electrocardiogram and blood tests. If you have been to the emergency room before and the doctor has given you an all clear cardiac wise - believe him. The thing about heart attack is that you CANNOT have one without an existing heart condition or disease - it a fact. Panic attack CANNOT and WILL NOT cause a heart disease or heart attack. In fact, studies have shown that panic attacks affect the heart similar to the way cardio exercise does. Therefore, do not be alarmed if you suffer from chest pains during a panic attack. If it is related to anxiety and panic, such pain will subside eventually and will never harm you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/difference-between-panic-attack-and-heart-attack-934540.html

About the Author

Panic attack is one of the most treatable conditions. Discover how you can end your panic attacks now and regain control of your life and happiness.