Heart Attack vs. Panic Attack — How to Tell the Difference

February 08, 2020

Shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, chest pain or discomfort — these can all be signs of a heart attack, or a panic attack. Deciphering between the two can be tricky, especially in a moment of panic. But being able to accurately determine what’s going on may be vital.

What is a heart attack?

Your heart must receive ample oxygenated blood. If the heart muscle receives an insufficient amount, it can die. Loss of blood supply may occur when plaque builds up in your coronary arteries and blocks the blood's flow to your heart. Plaque buildup can result in coronary artery spasm or atherosclerosis, which is the tightening or hardening of heart muscles and can lead to a blood clot when the plaque ruptures. Atherosclerosis can lead to coronary heart disease, which can trigger a heart attack. A heart attack can also occur when the blood supply cannot reach the heart due to narrowed heart arteries, known as ischemic heart disease.

Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, sudden dizziness, and discomfort in the upper body, including your arms, back, shoulder, neck, jaw or the upper part of your stomach.

What is a panic attack?

Anxiety is a normal response to stress, but in some people, the anxiety becomes overwhelming and difficult to cope with, and a panic attack may result in a time of distress.  An attack typically comes on abruptly, producing intense fear that is typically severely disproportionate to the situation at hand.
Hyperventilation, heart palpitations, trembling, sweating, hot or cold flashes, nausea, dizziness or light-headedness, numbness and/or tingling sensations are all common physical symptoms. Panic attacks tend to peak within 10 minutes, and most subside within 30 minutes.

How can you tell the difference?

While not a surefire way to determine which type of attack you’re dealing with, it’s helpful to keep in mind that heart attacks often accompany some type of physical exertion. Another tip to remember: deep-breathing won’t help if it’s a heart attack. If you’re having a panic attack, breathing in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth can help calm you down. Last but not least: if you don’t have risk factors for a heart attack, then it’s likely a panic attack.

Risk factors for a heart attack include: Age (men over 45 and women over 55), tobacco use, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, family history of heart attack, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, stress, illegal drug use, a history of preeclampsia, and a history of autoimmune disease.