Heart attacks and panic attacks share similar symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, but the type and severity of pain differ. Chest pain during a heart attack can radiate to other parts of the body, while during a panic attack, it is usually an intermittent stabbing pain. Shortness of breath during a heart attack is severe and may cause pale or bluish fingernails and lips, while during a panic attack, it is often due to hyperventilation. The causes of both attacks are different, and prompt medical attention is advised if an individual suspects a heart attack.
A heart attack and a panic attack have very similar symptoms. For example, an individual may feel chest pain and be short of breath during both of these instances. The type of pain, however, is often different, and shortness of breath during a panic attack can often be controlled. A panic attack and a heart attack are also typically caused by different things.
One of the most common symptoms of a heart attack is chest pain. During a heart attack, this pain is often quite severe and many times will feel like a constant, crushing pressure. Chest pain can radiate to other parts of the body during a heart attack, including the back, neck and left arm. Sometimes there may also be numbness or tingling.
The severity, type, and location of chest pain is one of the major differences between a heart attack and a panic attack. If you have a panic attack, the chest pain is usually an intermittent stabbing pain that is less severe than the pain associated with a heart attack. Also, chest pain during a panic attack typically doesn’t spread to other parts of the body.
Shortness of breath is another common symptom of both a heart attack and a panic attack. When an individual experiences this symptom, it is usually very severe. It may feel like there is an intense weight on his chest. Unlike a panic attack, heart attack sufferers cannot catch their breath. Fingernails and lips may turn pale or bluish during a heart attack because the blood lacks oxygen.
Shortness of breath during a panic attack is often due to the person hyperventilating. During less severe panic attacks, the individual may be able to calm down enough to catch their breath. Other times, he may have to breathe into a bag.
A heart attack and a panic attack usually have different causes. Before a heart attack, an individual often participates in some type of strenuous physical activity such as running or climbing stairs. Individuals experiencing a panic attack, on the other hand, usually find themselves in a particularly uncomfortable, stressful, or frightening situation.
Other similar signs that indicate a heart attack and a panic attack include sweating and a rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations. Because symptoms can differ from person to person, prompt medical attention is advised if an individual suspects they may be suffering from a heart attack. Only a doctor can positively rule out the possibility of a heart attack. Sometimes people with these symptoms may dismiss them, thinking they are mild enough to be a panic attack when in fact they have had a heart attack.
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