4 Ways to Distinguish Between a Heart Attack and a Panic Attack

Despite the widespread misconception, a panic attack can occur in the most ordinary of circumstances.

• The symptoms of a panic attack usually reach their peak after 10 minutes.
• The pain is concentrated in the region of the chest and has an undulating character to it: it rises then falls.
• The prickly feeling and numbness that can occur during a panic attack are not restricted to the left arm but can also appear in the right arm, legs, and fingers.
• During panic attacks, people experience irrational fears, such as the fear they’re suffocating or going insane.

If you can’t work out whether you’re experiencing a panic attack or a heart attack, see a doctor immediately. Waiting is not the best solution in either case. If it turns out that you’re having a heart attack, you could die if you don’t receive medical help. A lack of medical support during a panic attack can make the symptoms worse and lead to the attacks occurring more often. Timely examination and care from a specialist could improve the quality of your life as well as your life expectancy.