How to Tell the Difference

A pounding coronary heart. Chest ache. Shallow, quick breath. Dizziness, nausea, and chilly sweats. Having one (or all) of those signs is sufficient to set off some alarm bells in your head. Am I simply anxious, or is that this one thing extra?

The very fact is, it may be arduous to inform the distinction between a panic assault and one thing extra, like a coronary heart assault. “The signs of panic assaults and coronary heart assaults closely overlap, and it is fairly frequent for individuals having panic assaults to worry they’re having a coronary heart assault, particularly if it is their first panic assault,” says Kiki Fehling, PhD, a licensed psychologist in Boston, Massachusetts.

Fehling ought to know. She truly had a coronary heart assault that she initially mistook for a panic assault. “I solely knew one thing was critically mistaken when my signs didn’t subside even after training a number of anxiety-reducing coping abilities,” she explains. (Fortunately, she obtained assist in time and was efficiently handled.)

Backside line: If a psychological well being skilled can get the 2 confused, anybody can. Happily, with the data and instruments to answer each, you possibly can inform the distinction and get the assist you to want.

Right here, be taught extra in regards to the distinction between coronary heart assaults vs. panic assaults, and therapy for each.

Associated Tales

What are the indicators of a panic assault?

For some individuals, one of many first indicators they’re anxious is a pounding coronary heart and chest ache or discomfort. They might even really feel like their coronary heart is racing. This will trigger fear that there is one thing mistaken along with your coronary heart, which creates extra worry, and finally ends up making signs worse, says Ileana Piña, MD, a heart specialist with Jefferson Well being in Philadelphia and a member of the American Heart Association’s National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative.

The above are frequent panic attack symptoms. They are not life-threatening, and might trigger different signs like the next, per the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

• Sweating
• Chills
• Trembling
• Hassle respiratory
• Dizziness
• Weak point
• Numbness or tingling
• Nausea or abdomen cramps

Many of those signs can strike throughout a coronary heart assault, too, says Dr. Piña. And in that case, they may very well be lethal. “So we all the time advocate that in the event you’re unsure, one of the best factor to do is to go to the ER,” she provides.

How lengthy do panic assaults sometimes final?

Panic assaults can really feel like a tsunami. They typically hit rapidly with out a lot warning and might ease up nearly as quick. “Bodily signs often peak and subside inside 10 minutes,” Fehling says.

Chest ache from a coronary heart assault, then again, may ease up for a brief interval. Nevertheless it’ll maintain coming again till you are handled, per the American Heart Association (AHA). It additionally tends to worsen as you exert your self.

“Bodily signs of a panic assault often peak and subside inside 10 minutes.” –Kiki Fehling, PhD, psychologist

What are the indicators of a coronary heart assault?

In accordance with the AHA, the most typical indicators of a coronary heart assault are:

• Chest ache that begins within the heart of your chest that may additionally really feel like strain, squeezing, or fullness (“It typically looks like an elephant sitting in your chest,” says Dr. Piña)
• Ache that radiates out elsewhere, together with one or each arms, your again, neck, jaw, or abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Chilly sweats
• Nausea
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Chest ache is the most typical coronary heart assault symptom for most individuals. However girls usually tend to produce other crimson flags like nausea or fatigue, which might get chalked as much as one thing else. “Girls’s signs are likely to get written off as being too emotional,” says Dr. Piña. “Their signs additionally generally get attributed to indigestion or a pulled muscle as an alternative,” she provides.

How you can inform the distinction between a coronary heart assault and a panic assault

To be trustworthy, it is not all the time straightforward (or solely potential) to inform the distinction between a panic assault and coronary heart assault.”[Both] can overlap a lot that even medical doctors can’t inform the distinction with out working medical assessments,” Fehling says. “So if somebody has regarding signs it is higher to be protected and get evaluated on the ER.”

That mentioned, there are clues you possibly can decide up on, per Fehling and Dr. Piña:

• Severity of chest ache: Chest ache from a coronary heart assault tends to hit more durable and is extra noticeable after you’ve got exerted your self, whereas chest ache from a panic assault is not affected by your bodily exercise stage. “If sitting and doing nothing makes it higher, it may very well be your coronary heart,” says Dr. Piña.
• Ache location: The place you are feeling the ache can consider, too. Whereas each panic assaults and coronary heart assaults may cause ache within the heart of your chest, it might radiate outwards to your arm, again, shoulder, or jaw throughout a coronary heart assault, per the Cleveland Clinic. That will not occur throughout a panic assault although.
• Size of time: Take into account that you need to begin to really feel higher inside 10 minutes or so after a panic assault strikes, however coronary heart assault signs will not go away (and will worsen) till they’re handled.

One other factor to bear in mind: Whereas emotional stress is extra more likely to set off a panic assault, over time, nervousness and stress can elevate your coronary heart assault danger, too. In truth, a February 2023 research within the Journal of the American Heart Association discovered that individuals with despair are practically twice as more likely to have a coronary heart assault in comparison with individuals with out despair.

Remedy for panic assaults

“Panic assaults are quite common and never harmful,” Fehling says. And if it solely occurs as soon as, you do not essentially have to get therapy. However frequent or regular panic attacks may very well be an indication of a sure sort of hysteria known as panic dysfunction, per the NIMH.

Panic problems can really feel debilitating and intervene along with your on a regular basis life, so it is essential to achieve out for assist from a licensed psychological well being skilled. Therapists will typically use cognitive behavioral remedy (CBT) because the go-to strategy.

“CBT helps individuals overcome panic by instructing them coping abilities and serving to them higher perceive the connection between their signs, feelings, ideas, and behaviors,” Fehling says. “Most individuals who obtain CBT for panic dysfunction stay panic-free for years after remedy,” she provides. Different forms of remedy for nervousness might embrace EMDR or a trauma remedy known as brainspotting.

There are additionally sure nervousness and antidepressant drugs which may be useful in treating your panic dysfunction, per the Mayo Clinic. Speak to your physician about these choices and whether or not you would be a superb candidate for them.

When you’re in the midst of panic assault? Attempting strategies like deep breathing, mindfulness, counting out loud, or reciting constructive affirmations will help shorten or cease it.

Remedy for coronary heart assaults

Coronary heart assaults occur when a blockage in a number of of your coronary heart’s arteries reduces or stops blood circulate to the guts. This lack of blood circulate deprives your coronary heart of oxygen, which may trigger a part of the guts muscle to die, per the Mayo Clinic.

The one method to resolve that is with emergency therapy to take away the blockage and get a daily quantity of blood flowing again to the guts. This may be carried out with heart medications to dissolve the clot or by way of surgical procedure, per the AHA.

It is also essential to protect your heart from future coronary heart assaults with a wide range of life-style adjustments, together with the next, per the Mayo Clinic:

• Consuming a balanced weight-reduction plan full of heart-healthy foods
• Getting loads of train
• Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption
• Lowering stress
• Sustaining a wholesome weight to your physique dimension and form
• Managing underlying circumstances like hypertension and diabetes
• Taking treatment as prescribed
• Going to the physician often for checkups

What to do when you’ve got a coronary heart assault

When you or somebody you already know thinks they’re having a coronary heart assault, name 911 instantly and get to the closest ER. “It is so significantly better to get to the hospital the place they will help differentiate your signs,” says Dr. Piña. “You do not wish to be sitting on a nasty occasion that might price you your life,” she provides.

When you’re ready for an ambulance, observe any directions from the 911 operator, which can embrace taking aspirin or nitroglycerin (if prescribed), and beginning CPR or utilizing a defibrillator, in the event you known as on behalf of somebody having a coronary heart assault, per the Mayo Clinic.

When to see a physician

Although a panic assault will not hurt your bodily well being, having them ceaselessly can take a critical toll in your psychological well being. So it is a good suggestion to present your physician a heads up, even in the event you’ve solely had one. Collectively you possibly can determine in case your signs are anxiety-related and resolve if it is value speaking with a psychological well being skilled.

FAQ

Why does your coronary heart race at night time?

Your heart may race at night from stress, nervousness, or despair, says Fehling. Some individuals also can get nocturnal panic assaults, which may stir you out of your sleep (and don’t have any apparent set off), per the Mayo Clinic.

Nighttime heart palpitations also can occur from consuming caffeine or alcohol earlier than mattress. In some circumstances, they may very well be pushed by an underlying well being situation like a thyroid dysfunction or heart disease, per the Cleveland Clinic. So if the issue is going on often, it is a good suggestion to get it checked out.

What are the several types of panic assaults?

Psychological well being specialists categorize panic assaults into two predominant sorts. Cued panic assaults hit after you’ve got been uncovered to a daunting or triggering scenario, in accordance with the American Psychological Association. You may need one, for example, if it’s important to give a speech and are afraid of public talking. Generally simply desirous about a set off can cue up a panic assault.

Un-cued or sudden panic assaults, then again, really feel like they hit out of the blue and don’t have any recognized set off, the APA says. They will occur through the day or at night time.

Each sorts will be handled with discuss remedy, treatment, or a mixture of the 2.

How will you rule out a coronary heart assault at dwelling?

Sadly, you possibly can’t. Chest ache can have a variety of potential causes, however the one method to affirm that it is not from a coronary heart assault is by going to the hospital. So in the event you’re undecided what you are coping with, do not take an opportunity. Name 911 and go to the ER as quickly as potential.