Roger S. Blumenthal, M.D., medical editor of The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin, 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 May 2007
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
Users and editors may post comments here at their own discretion. The views expressed do not constitute medical advice and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or University Health Publishing, which has no responsibility for its content.
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
Post a Comment
Comment(offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
YES! Send me my FREE Special Report and FREE Health Alerts YES!
ALL NEW FOR 2008!
All new editions of The Johns Hopkins White Papers 2008
All available as instant digital downloads in PDF
Johns Hopkins Bestsellers
Heart Health
Our Featured Title:
The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin is a quarterly publication that presents the latest information available to help you make informed decisions about your cardiac care.
Every issue is rushed to you via Priority Mail, providing you with heart-healthy information previously unavailable to the public., direct from Roger Blumenthal, M.D., F.A.C.C. Assocate Professor of Cardiology, Director, The Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease.
Every subscription also includes 4 FREE Special Reports:
Special Report #1: The Johns Hopkins Nutrition and Fitness Prescription—diet, weight loss, weight control, exercise, smoking cessation guidelines, and more, for preventing and even reversing heart disease
Special Report #2: Statin Drugs and the Cholesterol Battle—Zocor, Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Lescol, and more! What you need to know to get the right prescription for you
Special Report #3: Men vs. Women: Matters of the Heart—the very important differences between the genders regarding cardiovascular health factors, what each can do for heart attack prevention, and the very key differences in symptoms when heart attack does occur—knowing these differences could very well save your life!
Special Report #4: Heart Procedures: State of the Art Surgical Treatments—Guidelines on the latest breakthroughs in heart surgery options, such as bypass, angioplasty, stents, and more!
PLUS, subscribe now and receive an added BONUS:
The Cardiac Glossary—packed full of key terms and concepts, so you can be on the "same page" as your doctor, and make the most of your subscription to The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin
2008 Heart Attack Prevention White Paper Focuses on lifesaving strategies for preventing a first heart attack, with up-to-date information on both established and newly discovered risk factors for heart attack; screening tests that can detect a problem before a heart attack occurs; lifestyle measures and medications that can dramatically lower your risk.Read more...
Gifts of Health and Wellness for the Spring Holidays
The Johns Hopkins White Papers Johns Hopkins Bulletins Health After 50 Newsletter
To order any of our print products as gifts for your friends, family, colleagues and other loved ones, please have their mailing addresses handy and phone:
Customer Service: PRINT PRODUCTS: (through the mail)Inside US and Canada: 1 800 829-0422 Outside US: 1 386 445-4662 Hours: M to F - 7AM to 12AM EST/EDT Sat & Sun - 9AM to 6PM EST/EDT
customerservice@ johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
Already a subscriber to Health After 50? Or the Johns Hopkins Bulletins? Questions about your account?
Customer Service: Inside US and Canada: 1 800 829-0422 Outside US: 1 386 445-4462
Hours: M to F - 7AM to 12AM EST/EDT Sat & Sun - 9AM to 6PM EST/EDT
customerservice@ johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
University Health Publishing 6 Trowbridge Drive Bethel, CT 06801
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician.
Charter Subscription to The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin,
PLUS 4 FREE Special Reports, and a Cardiac Glossary
Yes! Enter my charter subscription to The Johns Hopkins HEART BULLETIN on a risk-free basis at the charter subscription rate of $149 for one year (4 quarterly issues) $46 off the regular subscription price.
I understand that if I am not completely satisfied, I may cancel my subscription, send back the Bulletin, and receive a refund with no questions asked. The Special Reports and Cardiac Glossary are mine to keep even if I decide not to continue with my subscription.
The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin: a quarterly in-depth report delivering the very latest research findings, medical breakthroughs, and therapeutic discoveries for preventing and treating coronary heart disease and related conditions.It's like having an in-depth consultation from a specialist from America's #1 medical center.
In every issue, you'll find:
Quarterly briefings on the latest medical developments
Late breaking news of innovative new treatments and essential health study results
Expert evaluations and comparisons of new medications, surgical techniques, and diagnostic procedures
Authoritative medical guidance from leading experts from around the world
ALL delivered direct to you via Priority Mail!
ADDED BONUS: FREE SPECIAL REPORTS!
Your risk-FREE subscription. The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin is yours to review risk-FREE. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return the Bulletin and receive a refund with no questions asked. Keep the four FREE Special Reports and the FREE Cardiac Glossary just for reviewing the Bulletin.
Only by private subscription. Don't bother looking for The Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin on the newsstand. It is available only by private subscription, delivered directly to you quarterly via Priority Mail.