Anybody that suffers from panic attacks on a regular basis understands the horror of chest pains that they can not seem to explain. One of the hallmarks of panic attacks and panic disorder is a generalized chest pain that can mimic a heart attack quite well. So well, in fact, that discerning the difference between a heart attack and a panic attack has to be done by a doctor. Heart attacks are something that you can not afford to guess at. This leads to a number of panic sufferers making regular trips to the emergency rooms of America with chest pain, only to be told that they are fine and suffering from panic attacks. How can you actually tell if your chest pain is a heart attack or a panic attack?
As stated, you really have to see a doctor to be sure, but their are a number of things that can give you clues as to the difference between the two. None of these points should be taken as a reason to not immediately seek medical attention for the symptoms, but rather a general guide of the differences between panic attacks and heart attacks.
Generally, chest pain with a panic attack is short, quick, stabbing type pains that can be anywhere in your chest. Their never seems to be rhyme or reason to the chest pains, and they often are in different places. With a heart attack, chest pains are usually described as more of a fullness, or pressure on the chest. It may radiate to other areas such as the neck, jaw, arm (particularly the left), or even the back. This pain is often described as the “worst pain ever” and their seems to be little doubt about what it actually is. Somehow, many people “know” a heart attack is a heart attack. Panic is rarely that bad in terms of pain. It is usually painful, but in a more faint type of way.
With a heart attack, you often experience severe shortness of breath. This is not one hundred percent of the time by any means, but it is common. With panic attacks, you are generally hyperventilating. This is due to you breathing too fast and not realizing it. This is hard sometimes to differentiate, and the best way to find out is to breathe slowly into a paper bag. This will usually solve the panic problem as it will slow your breathing to a normal rate.
Heart attacks are often brought on by stress or exertion of some kind. Panic attacks are brought on by certain scenarios that you are uncomfortable with, stress, or sometimes even out of the blue. Heart attacks also can come out of the blue, but it is one of the many things you might consider.
Heart attacks are medical emergencies that can be fatal, while panic attacks are generally not. Panic attacks are certainly taxing on the system over time, but their is no inherent danger for most panic attack sufferers.
The only real way to tell the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack is medical tests, doctors, and emergency services. These guidelines are only that. If you are experiencing chest pains, you should contact 911 and get emergency help as soon as possible. It is much better to be safe than sorry when it comes to discerning a panic attack and a heart attack.
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