I’m Having a Heart Attack – Or Is It Just Panic?

Many adolescents and adults rush to the emergency department convinced they’re having a heart attack, only to learn it’s anxiety. This situation can feel confusing and frightening, as panic attack symptoms often feel intense and life-threatening.

Symptoms of a Panic Attack

Panic attacks can mimic serious medical conditions, including heart attacks. Common physical symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Blurred vision
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating
• Paleness
• Overwhelming dread
• Fear of dying or having a heart attack

These symptoms can alarm anyone, but they do not pose a health risk. They indicate that your body’s safety system is functioning—even if it triggers unnecessarily.

Understanding Panic Attacks: Amelia’s Story

Amelia, a young woman, had never worried about her health until a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) shook her confidence. Although her medical treatment controlled her symptoms, she started experiencing panic attacks with intense fears of having a heart attack.

Amelia often went to the emergency department, convinced her heart was failing. Doctors confirmed her heart was healthy. In therapy, she learned that her panic symptoms were real and physical, but they reflected her body’s fight-or-flight system working correctly.

How the Fight-or-Flight Response Works

The fight-or-flight response triggers automatically when the brain perceives danger. The HPA axis then activates, putting the body into overdrive in seconds:

• Heart rate accelerates
• Breathing becomes rapid and shallow
• Blood diverts to major muscles for immediate action
• Digestive processes slow down

These changes can cause dizziness, nausea, chest tightness, and intense fear. Amelia triggered her panic attacks by scanning her body for signs of illness. Minor sensations, like a slightly fast heartbeat, triggered catastrophic thinking, which escalated into full-blown panic.

Reframing Panic Symptoms

Therapy helped Amelia reinterpret her panic symptoms as signs of her body functioning well, rather than signals of danger. By adjusting her self-talk and perception, she significantly reduced her panic attacks within two weeks and regained confidence in her health.

If a healthcare professional rules out a heart problem, panic symptoms are safe. They reflect a strong, responsive body working exactly as it should.

FAQs About Panic Attacks

Q1: Can panic attacks cause a heart attack?
No. Panic attacks mimic heart attack symptoms, but they do not cause heart attacks in otherwise healthy people.

Q2: How long do panic attacks last?
Most panic attacks peak within 10 minutes and subside within 20–30 minutes. Residual anxiety may linger.

Q3: Can children experience panic attacks?
Yes. Children and adolescents can experience panic attacks, often triggered by stress or anxiety-inducing events.

Q4: What should I do if I’m unsure whether it’s panic or a heart problem?
Seek immediate medical assessment. Once doctors rule out heart issues, learning coping strategies and CBT techniques can help manage panic.

Managing Panic Attacks

You can manage panic attacks through:

• Breathing exercises to calm the nervous system
• Mindfulness and grounding techniques to reduce catastrophic thinking
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with a psychologist
• Body awareness training to reduce hyper-vigilance

If self-help strategies aren’t enough, speaking to a psychologist or GP ensures personalised support.

Reach out now!

Take control of your anxiety today. Book a consultation with a mental health professional to regain confidence in your body and mind.

Helensvale: (07) 5551 0251
Mount Gravatt: (07) 3102 1366
Nerang: (07) 5668 3490

Disclaimer: Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only and is not intended to replace advise from your doctor or registered health professional. Readers are urged to consult their registered practitioner for diagnosis and treatment for their medical concerns.