Panic Attack vs. Heart Attack
Knowing the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack is not always easy when your body is in distress. While the symptoms may feel similar, they come from very different causes and require different types of care.
If you have experienced intense physical and emotional symptoms and worried something was seriously wrong, it is worth learning how panic attack symptoms can show up and what to do next.
What Are the Core Differences Between a Panic Attack and a Heart Attack?
Panic attacks and heart attacks can both bring on intense chest pain, shortness of breath, and a deep feeling that something is very wrong. While they share symptoms, they originate in very different systems of the body. Knowing the difference can help you get the care you need without unnecessary fear or delay.
What Happens in the Body During Each Episode?
A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, usually by a clot or buildup of plaque. Without oxygen, heart muscle begins to die, which can cause crushing chest pain, pressure, and pain radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw.
A panic attack comes from a sudden spike in adrenaline and nervous system activation. The body moves into fight-or-flight mode, triggering rapid breathing, dizziness, chest tightness, and a sense of losing control. The symptoms are real, but they are driven by the brain’s alarm system, not by physical damage to the heart.
How You Can Tell the Difference When You’re in the Moment
It is not always easy to tell the difference while symptoms are happening. However, there are clues that can help. Panic attacks often come on quickly, peak within 10 to 15 minutes, and may be linked to stress, trauma, or emotional triggers. Heart attack symptoms tend to build more slowly and do not go away with movement or distraction.
Age and medical history also matter. If you are over 40, have high blood pressure, or have a history of heart disease, it is safest to seek emergency care. A 2018 article in the Journal of Emergency Medicine explains that “panic attacks mimic cardiac symptoms in nearly 25% of ER visits, yet cardiac markers and EKGs are often normal in these patients.” This overlap is why clinical testing is important and why self-diagnosing can carry real risks.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Each Condition?
Panic attacks and heart attacks can feel surprisingly similar in the moment, which is part of what makes them so frightening. Both can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a deep sense that something is wrong. Here are some of the most common symptoms people report when experiencing either one:
Chest tightness (reported in both conditions)
Rapid heartbeat (common in panic attacks)
Shortness of breath (reported in both conditions)
Pain radiating to jaw or left arm (more likely in heart attacks)
Fear of dying (more common in panic attacks)
Sweating (reported in both conditions)
Nausea or vomiting (more likely in heart attacks)
Dizziness or feeling faint (common in both)
Tingling or numbness in hands (more common in panic attacks)
This list is here to give you some clarity, not to make a diagnosis. If something feels off and you are not sure why, it is always better to get checked out. Ruling out a heart issue is never the wrong call.
Gender Differences in How Symptoms Show Up
Heart attack symptoms do not always look the way they do in movies, especially for women and other people assigned female at birth. Instead of crushing chest pain, women are more likely to feel nausea, jaw pain, or deep fatigue. Panic symptoms in women gender-diverse individuals are also more likely to be brushed off as stress, hormones, or anxiety, even when something more serious is going on.
The American Heart Association notes that “women are more likely to experience non-traditional heart attack symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.” If something feels wrong, speak up. You know your body better than anyone else.
How Panic Attacks Are Diagnosed and Treated
Once your heart has been checked out and cleared, it is completely normal to still feel confused or uneasy about what happened. At ACS Mental Health Office, we look beyond the physical symptoms and take time to understand how panic might be showing up in your life. You deserve answers, and that starts with listening to your story, not rushing to a label.
What Diagnosis Might Include
If you have been to the ER more than once with chest tightness, racing thoughts, or shortness of breath and left without a clear explanation, you are not alone. We often start by asking simple but important questions. When do these symptoms happen? What was going on that day? Have you felt this way before?
Your provider might ask you to jot down notes when symptoms come up, like who you were with, what you ate, or how much sleep you got. That helps us connect the dots in a way that makes sense to you. We also use tools like the GAD-7 or PHQ-9 to gently screen for anxiety or depression, but the most helpful information often comes straight from you. Your words, your memories, and your patterns matter most.
What Treatment Plans Can Help?
Panic attacks can feel unpredictable, but there are ways to make them less scary and less frequent. You do not have to jump straight into medication unless that feels right to you. Many people start with therapy, breathing techniques, or simple lifestyle shifts that fit into their daily rhythm. Some of the tools we often explore together include:
SSRIs for long-term symptom relief
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Gentle exposure therapy with the right support
Slow, deep breathing practices
Calming the nervous system after stress spikes
Cutting back on caffeine or stimulants
Creating a steadier sleep schedule
Getting outside for fresh air and movement
Checking in with a support group
Eating meals that help balance blood sugar and mood
Making time for small, daily wins
Setting boundaries around overwhelming responsibilities
We build every care plan with you, not for you. The goal is not to fix you. It is to support you while you learn how to feel safe in your own body again.
What You Can Do If You Aren’t Sure About Medication
If you are feeling unsure about medication, that is completely okay. You deserve time, space, and support to figure out what feels right for you. There are plenty of gentle, non-medication tools that can still make a big difference in how you feel each day. Here are a few ideas we might talk through together:
Grounding techniques that help bring you back to the present
Breathwork you can do in the middle of a stressful moment
Reframing thoughts that keep looping in your mind
Journaling when your brain feels too full
Gentle stretching or walking to release tension
Creating quiet space during your day to reset
Tracking hormonal patterns that might affect your mood
Turning off stressful news or social media at night
Apps that guide you through calming exercises
Routines that add structure to mornings and evenings
Trying calming scents like lavender or peppermint
Spending time outside in calming environments
We are here to help you find what works. We will never pressure you into anything. Your comfort, your pace, and your preferences always come first.
How to Know When to Get Help for Panic or Chest Pain
It is not about being brave. It is about being safe. If you are unsure whether your chest pain is physical, emotional, or both, there are clear signs that can guide your next steps. You do not have to figure it out alone.
Signs It Might Be a Heart Attack
Some heart symptoms come on quickly. Others build slowly and catch you off guard. Either way, there are a few signs that always deserve emergency care.
If your pain spreads into your arm, jaw, back, or shoulder, that is a red flag. Feeling pressure that gets worse when you move or does not improve after 15 to 20 minutes is another. You should also pay attention if the pain starts during activity and stays intense even after you rest. Other warning signs include:
Nausea or vomiting
Breaking out in a cold sweat
Feeling lightheaded or faint
Shortness of breath during mild activity
Chest discomfort that returns repeatedly
A sense of doom that feels physical, not emotional
Pain that wakes you from sleep
A racing heartbeat that feels erratic
Skin that looks pale or gray
Trouble breathing while lying flat
Weakness in your arms or legs
Confusion or trouble speaking
Chest pain is never something to ignore. If something feels wrong and your instincts are telling you to get help, it is always better to go in and let a medical provider evaluate you.
Signs It Might Be a Panic Attack
Panic attacks can feel terrifying, especially when they come on suddenly. Your heart races, your chest feels tight, and it might seem like you are losing control. But there are patterns that can help you tell the difference.
Panic episodes often follow a similar rhythm. They may last 10 to 30 minutes, build quickly, and fade once you are removed from the stressor. If you have had testing done and your heart checks out fine, and these symptoms keep happening, it may be time to talk to someone who works with anxiety or panic disorders, or hormone disorders like Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Common signs of panic-related chest pain include:
Fast breathing or hyperventilation
Feeling dizzy or like you might pass out
Chest pain that is sharp or stabbing
Tingling in your fingers or lips
A sense of unreality or disconnection
A sudden wave of fear without a clear cause
Shaking or trembling
Feeling like you cannot get enough air
Crying or needing to leave a situation suddenly
Feeling emotionally flooded
A fear that you are going to die even though nothing is wrong
Symptoms that pass after calming down
Just because it might be panic does not mean it is not real. These symptoms can affect your whole life and make you feel like you are constantly waiting for the next wave to hit. That is not something you have to live with.
Mental Health Support Matters, Even if It Turns Out “Not to Be Serious”
People often feel embarrassed or brushed off when they are told “It is probably just stress.” But panic is not “just” anything. When your chest tightens, your breathing changes and your brain tells you something is terribly wrong, you are not making it up.
You deserve care, even if the ER tells you your heart is healthy. You deserve answers, even if the symptoms go away on their own. You deserve to feel safe in your own body again, and that starts with support that sees the whole picture, not just one test result.
Know What Your Body Is Telling You and How to Respond
Your body is not lying to you. Whether the symptoms are rooted in panic or a medical issue, they are valid and deserve care. The more you learn, the more empowered you will feel to respond instead of fearing the unknown.
Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice and does not represent the views of licensed healthcare professionals. It is provided solely for educational purposes as part of a mock healthcare provider website. Health experiences vary widely, and if you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please contact a qualified provider or call 911.
