Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Is it a Panic (Anxiety) Attack or a Heart Attack?
Johns Hopkins cardiologist Roger S. Blumenthal, M.D. explains the importance difference between a panic attack and a heart attack.
Q. I had the shock of my life last week when I found my 58-year-old husband slumped over in his chair shortly after dinner. He had chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and he was sweating through his shirt. I called 911 and went with him to the hospital. The good news is that everything checked out OK. The strange news is that the doctor said he had suffered a panic attack, not a heart attack. What could be the problem? Our children are doing well in college, my husband owns his own business, and our lives are better than ever before. What kind of medical workup should he get so he can take steps to prevent another panic attack?
A. An acute anxiety attack, or panic attack, is a terrifying ordeal to experience. During a panic attack, a surge of fear overcomes the individual, often without any clear provocation. Many patients truly believe they are going to die, and some experience syncope, or fainting, as a reaction to this stressor.
The signs and symptoms of a panic attack are quite similar to those of a heart attack: palpitations, difficulty breathing, a sense of doom, lightheadedness, nausea, chest pain and sudden chills. Unlike a heart attack, however, a panic attack is not medically dangerous.
Anyone diagnosed with panic attacks should be seen and evaluated by a psychiatrist who treats panic attack patients. Fortunately, panic or anxiety disorder is highly treatable. A type of therapy called "cognitive restructuring" helps people understand the nature of their symptoms, and many are greatly helped by understanding the diagnosis and learning to replace their maladaptive response with a clear recognition of what is happening to them. Cognitive therapy can help identify triggers, and can potentially lead to reduction in the frequency of panic attacks. Behavioral modification therapy and relaxation techniques are also used. In addition, anti-anxiety medications have been used with success.
Posted in Heart Health on July 5, 2006
Reviewed June 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
Notify Me
Would you like us to inform you when we post new Heart Health Health Alerts?
Comments
Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.
The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or Remedy Health Media, LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.
Post a Comment
Already a subscriber?
Login
New to Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
I wasn't going to comment on anything, but then I remembered, about 1 week ago, I sat here & typed a long coment on a specific type of Glaucoma my son was recently diagonised with. It is called 'PIGMENTATION DISPERSION GLAUCOMA'. I asked for ANY INFORMATION YOU COULD GIVE ME ABOUT THIS 'HORRIBLE DISEASE THAT CAUSES BLINDNESS.' He is ONLY 40, & has a great career in the City Fire Dept. He did have to give the position of a DRIVER up after 3 1/2 yrs. because of his sight problem. He has lost 70% of his right eye. He did however, save his career, by studying & testing for the LIEUTENANT opening that (lucky for us) became available, after he decided to go for LT. He has been on the force 15 yrs. with many nights having no sleep, & driving blind. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM & all the things & obstacles he overcame to become Lt. He has been a true fighter on the job, & has seen a lot. My question, or comment WAS NEVER ANSWERED, & I am WONDERING WHY???? Maybe you don't have an answer, as I asked if ANYTHING COULD BE DONE FOR THIS, other than what the specialists is doing,the drops & keeping watch on his 'optic nerve & other eye. Please let me know if you got my 1st comment & if you have anything to say now. I have ALWAYS BEEN AN ADMIRER OF YOUR HOSPITAL, & have some of your hard-cover books. Thanks, Dina Miller
Posted by: Dina | January 26, 2007 6:03 PM