Can an anxiety attack mimic a heart attack 2024?

As a health professional with a background in cardiology and psychology, I often encounter patients who express concerns about the symptoms they are experiencing. One common question that arises is whether an anxiety attack can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. The answer is yes, it can, and it's important to understand why this can happen and how to differentiate between the two.
**Anxiety Attacks vs. Heart Attacks: Understanding the Overlap**
Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are sudden episodes of intense fear that can occur without warning. These episodes can trigger a range of physical symptoms that may resemble those of a heart attack. According to the Mayo Clinic, anxiety or panic attack chest pain is included in their descriptions of all-cause chest pain. This is because the sympathetic nervous system, which is activated during both anxiety and heart attacks, can cause similar physiological responses.
Symptoms: The Red Flags
The symptoms of an anxiety attack can be quite alarming and may include:
- Chest pain: This can feel like a pressure or a squeezing in the chest, similar to what is experienced during a heart attack.
- Palpitations: A sensation of a pounding heart or an accelerated heart rate, which can be mistaken for a heart attack.
- Shortness of breath: Rapid breathing or hyperventilation can occur, leading to feelings of not getting enough air.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: This can be due to hyperventilation or the body's response to the adrenaline surge.
- Nausea: The stress of an anxiety attack can cause stomach upset.
- Sweating: Excessive sweating can be a response to the body's fight-or-flight mechanism.
- Feelings of impending doom: A sense of dread or fear that something terrible is about to happen.
It's important to note that while these symptoms can mimic those of a heart attack, there are key differences. Heart attacks typically have a more gradual onset and the chest pain is often described as a pressure or squeezing that lasts for several minutes and may go away and come back. It is usually not relieved by a paper bag or other methods used to calm hyperventilation.
**Differential Diagnosis: Separating the Two**
To differentiate between an anxiety attack and a heart attack, healthcare professionals may consider several factors:
- Onset and duration of symptoms: Heart attacks usually have a more gradual onset and the pain lasts longer.
- Triggers: Anxiety attacks are often triggered by stress or a specific phobia, whereas heart attacks can occur without an obvious trigger.
- Response to intervention: Anxiety-related chest pain may be relieved by calming techniques or anti-anxiety medications, whereas heart attack symptoms require medical intervention.
- Medical history and risk factors: A person's medical history, including risk factors for heart disease, is considered.
Treatment and Management
The treatment for an anxiety attack typically involves calming techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, grounding techniques, or the use of anti-anxiety medications. In contrast, a heart attack requires immediate medical attention and may involve interventions such as clot-busting medications, stenting, or bypass surgery.
Conclusion
While it is true that an anxiety attack can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, understanding the differences and knowing when to seek medical help is crucial. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms that could indicate a heart attack, it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek immediate medical attention. However, recognizing the signs of an anxiety attack can also be important for self-care and mental health management.

And these terrifying symptoms may indeed mimic those experienced during a heart attack. Mayo Clinic experts include anxiety or panic attack chest pain in their descriptions of all-cause chest pain. ... Other panic symptoms can include: Palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate.Aug 13, 2011