Can panic attack cause heart attack?
Whenever I’ve had one I always think I’m having a heart attack. I think this is normal(to think that), but could I ever really have a heart attack from a panic attack? Among other symptoms, such as tunnel vision and heart pounding, my left arm always gets numb when I have one which is why I’m always afraid its a heart attack.
I’m 23, in good physical shape, and have never been diagnosed with any heart problems. Am I just being crazy?
I used to get them too and they felt so much like heart attacks that I used to go to the E.R. virtually every time I had one. And YES, they really, really felt like heart attacks (…or at least what I figured a heart attack would feel like).
Eventually, I realized that I was just wasting everybody’s time with false alarms and my heart tests would always come back as insanely healthy. Once I convinced myself that I wasn’t having heart attacks and that it was all in my head, I stopped having panic attacks.
As for panic attacks actually causing heart attacks, assuming you’re in good health (which you say you are), it would take an awful lot of panic attacks to do enough damage to a 23 year old heart to actually bring on a heart attack. Take it from me, this is all psychological.
Mine started not long after my dad died from cancer. They lasted on and off for about four years and I was fine. They picked back up again when my mom died of a heart attack and now they’ve stopped once more.
Perhaps you’ve lost somebody close to you? <")))><
Comments
Comment from more than just a pretty face
Time August 26, 2009 at 3:19 am
I’m the same way when I get a panic attack, I get pains in my left arm and numbness just like you, there have been studies done to determine whether or not panic attacks will increase the risk of heart attacks in young people and found no correlation at all. However it is believed women who are past menopause are at increased risk for heart attack if they have had a panic attack in the past 6 months. I often felt like I had a heart problem and freaked myself out really bad and gave myself panic attacks worrying, next time you feel one coming on don’t give into the panicky feeling, tell yourself that "this is only a panic attack, my heart is fine, this has happened before and it will pass soon" and focus on breathing deeply, your arm is going numb b/c you’re hyperventilating. Good luck to you, please email me if you need more advice.
References :
suffered from panic attacks, now I know how to control them
Comment from Yehsub
Time August 26, 2009 at 3:24 am
I used to get them too and they felt so much like heart attacks that I used to go to the E.R. virtually every time I had one. And YES, they really, really felt like heart attacks (…or at least what I figured a heart attack would feel like).
Eventually, I realized that I was just wasting everybody’s time with false alarms and my heart tests would always come back as insanely healthy. Once I convinced myself that I wasn’t having heart attacks and that it was all in my head, I stopped having panic attacks.
As for panic attacks actually causing heart attacks, assuming you’re in good health (which you say you are), it would take an awful lot of panic attacks to do enough damage to a 23 year old heart to actually bring on a heart attack. Take it from me, this is all psychological.
Mine started not long after my dad died from cancer. They lasted on and off for about four years and I was fine. They picked back up again when my mom died of a heart attack and now they’ve stopped once more.
Perhaps you’ve lost somebody close to you? <")))><
References :
Comment from versantly
Time August 26, 2009 at 4:08 am
call 911
References :
Comment from nomorepanicattack@ymail.com
Time August 26, 2009 at 4:56 am
Unless you have a heart condition, panic attack CANNOT cause you to have a heart attack.
Since you have never been diagnosed with any heart problems you should be fine. Assure yourself that you will be fine…and no, you are NOT crazy.
If you were really going insane would you be aware or worried about going insane? In fact, people who REALLY ARE insane keeps denying it…so I’ll have to say your perfectly fine.
The other symptoms that your experiencing:
-heart palpitations
-numbness
-shortness of breath
-dizziness
are just symptoms of over-breathing (hyperventilation) during a panic attack. Try holding your breath for a period of between 10 and 15 seconds and repeat this a few times. This will be sufficient to calm your breathing quickly.
Lastly, assure yourself that your OK. Panic attack is the fear of fear. In order to stop panic attack forever, you need accept it and confront your fears. Don’t hide or run away from it.
Try this Free Panic Attack Report At http://nomorepanicattack.synthasite.com/
References :
http://nomorepanicattack.synthasite.com/
Comment from Kate B
Time August 26, 2009 at 2:41 am
You are not crazy just scared. I have been in the same position and have gone to the ER more than once. Just try and relax and most likely the symptoms will go away. Good Luck
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