One of the most common health conditions that people have a lot of confusion about is the difference between panic attacks and heart attacks. Both conditions are characterised by chest pain and shortness of breath but they are two different diseases. It is important to be able to differentiate between them for your well-being and to have a good night’s rest. It is also crucial to know how to distinguish between the signs of a panic attack and a heart attack so that you can get the correct treatment.
Difference Between a Heart Attack and a Panic Attack
A heart attack is a condition wherein the blood supply to a part of the heart is cut off and the heart muscle is injured. Common signs are chest pain, discomfort in the arms, back, neck, or jaw, and the sensation of pressure or squeezing in the chest. It is a medical condition that calls for intervention, which cannot wait.
Meanwhile, a panic attack is connected to anxiety and stress, and not to the heart being physically harmed in some way. A panic attack can cause chest pain, but this pain is stabbing and discrete and is typically accompanied by other signs such as dizziness, sweating, and the sense of impending death. A panic attack may be quite terrifying, but it is not as severe as a heart attack and won’t kill you.
Here's a simple table to highlight panic attack vs heart attack:
|
Features
|
Heart Attack
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Panic Attack
|
|
Occurrence
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During physical exertion
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When at rest
|
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Pain
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Squeezing pain and pressure in the chest
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Pain that subsides over time
|
|
Duration
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Worsens with time
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Subsides and self-resolves within 20 minutes
|
|
Additional Symptoms
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1. Shortness of breath
2. Near fainting
3. Sweating
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Squeezing pain and pressure
6. Sudden onset during physical activity
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1. Shortness of breath
2. Sweating
3. Tingling in the hands
4. Increased heart rate
5. Sudden onset
|
|
Long-term Impact
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No physical damage (but risky if multiple)
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Resolves within 20-30 minutes
|
This shows that in stressful situations, it is possible to make the right decision when one understands the differences between panic attack vs heart problem. If you are still in doubt, seeking advice from a healthcare provider is always advisable.