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A panic attack is a frightening experience. Your heart may beat in your chest, breathing may become hard, and the fear that something awful is occurring can be hysterical. At such a time, this is the question many people ultimately end up asking, the frightening one: Can you die of a panic attack?
The answer is no, not even panic attacks are fatal. Nevertheless, the symptoms may be so severe that they are almost similar to severe medical crises. Learning about the nature of panic attacks, the processes occurring in the body, and when to contact a doctor would help to achieve the safety goals and decrease the fear.
Can You Die From a Panic Attack? The Facts
Panic attacks do not threaten life. They are not heart-stopping, breathing-stopping, or death-inducing. A panic attack is a period of extreme fear that results in bodily reactions to a stressful situation, yet does not harm the heart or lungs of a healthy individual.
With that said, panic attacks might seem very real and dangerous. One of the most widespread symptoms of panic disorder or anxiety that is reported by people is the fear of dying in a panic attack.
It is not the panic attack itself that poses the threat, but the false perception of the symptoms or the disregard of medical care when one is to receive it. This is why it is so essential to identify the difference between panic and other medical diseases.
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What Happens in Your Body During a Panic Attack?
When you get a panic attack, the body activates the fight-or-flight mechanism, a survival mechanism, which is meant to enable your body to be safe when you are in danger. This is the release of stress hormones, e.g., adrenaline and cortisol.
The symptoms of these anxieties are not harmful in themselves, and they come only with a short-lived intensity. The body is responding in the manner of something dangerous when there is none.
Panic Attack vs Heart Attack: Key Differences
A heart attack might be a close relative of a panic attack, and that is the reason why it might be so frightening and scary. They would both experience chest pains, shortness of breathing, tachycardia, sweating, and a strong sense of fear. These are all symptoms that can be viewed as similar, and most people experiencing a panic attack are convinced that they are experiencing a life-threatening medical condition.
Despite all these similarities, panic attacks and heart attacks are caused by very different processes in the body, and they have strong distinctions. The body is trained to respond to the stressor in the form of panic attacks, and, as a rule, the emergence of panic attacks does not harm the heart in any physical way. The lack of blood supply to the heart muscle, on the other hand, leads to heart attacks and should be addressed by a doctor immediately.
The awareness of these significant differences is applicable in the elimination of panic episode fear and still reminds them about the necessity to seek medical aid whenever the symptoms are novel, intense, or indefinite. Medical examination is always the best option in case of any uncertainty.
Chest Pain and Breathing Difficulties Compared
The following table illustrates major differences between panic attacks and heart attacks:
| Feature | Panic Attack | Heart Attack |
| Chest pain | Sharp or tight, often shifts | Heavy, pressure-like, persistent |
| Onset | Suddenly, often during stress | Gradual or sudden, often with exertion |
| Breathing | Rapid, shallow | Shortness of breath with exertion |
| Duration | Peaks within 10 to 30 minutes | Often lasts longer and worsens |
| Relief | Improves with calming | Does not improve with relaxation |
In case of new chest pain, severe or which is doubled with other alarming symptoms, medical examination is the surest option.
Why Panic Attacks Feel Life-Threatening
Panic attacks are feared since the brain is under the perception that there is a real danger. There is the fear response, which is very compelling and persuasive even in a case when the threat is nonexistent.
Patients with panic attacks usually complain of:
- Fear of dying
- Fear of losing control
- To be afraid of fainting or suffocating.
The Role of the Stress Response System
The stress response system is aimed at saving you at the time of need. This system becomes activated during a panic attack, but there is no actual threat.
Signals, which are relayed by the alarm center (the amygdala) of the brain, override logic and reassurance. That is why panic attacks are so desperate and overwhelming when you know in your mind that you are safe.
As soon as the stress hormones are lowered, the symptoms also subside.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Although panic attacks are not fatal, there are instances when one needs emergency medical care. Never hesitate to seek care in case you are not sure- particularly when the symptoms are not the same as before or when they are new.
Seek emergency care if:
- Pain in the chest is crushing or incessant.
- The pain extends to the arm, jaw, or back.
- It has fainting or loss of consciousness.
- The symptoms are experienced with physical exercise.
- You have a history of heart disease.
Healthcare workers are able to eliminate severe disorders and contribute to reassurance.
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Take Control of Panic With Help From Treat Mental Health
Life with panic attacks can be tiresome and scary. The fear of a panic attack may not necessarily go away even when one is aware that it is not life-threatening. A real difference can be a support.
Treat Mental Health is a compassionate, evidence-based treatment of patients with panic attacks, anxiety, and symptoms of stress. The treatment is based on understanding triggers, reducing fear, and developing tools to regain a sense of control.
In case panic attacks are impacting your quality of life, contact Treat Mental Health to get professional help.
FAQs
What Are the Key Anxiety Symptoms That Indicate a Panic Attack?
The typical symptoms of anxiety are an elevated heartbeat, chest pain, dyspnea, dizziness, perspiration, and a high level of fear. These symptoms tend to have a rapid and slow onset and disappearance.
How Can You Differentiate Between a Panic Attack and a Heart Attack?
Panic attacks are usually spontaneous and self-limiting, whereas heart attack symptoms are usually long-lasting and painful in the chest. Medical attention should be sought when one is in doubt.
What Role Does the Stress Response Play in Triggering a Panic Attack?
Stress response releases adrenaline that leads to physical symptoms such as rapid breathing and chest tightness. This reaction is a defense mechanism, yet it is painful when it is caused without reason.
How Do Breathing Difficulties Manifest During a Panic Attack?
Breathing can be fast, shallow, or slow. Oxygen levels tend to be normal, although one may feel uncomfortable, and breathing will return to its usual state once the panic has subsided.
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When Should You Seek Emergency Care for Chest Pain Related to Panic?
In case of chest pain, which is severe, new, worsening, or in case of fainting or radiation pain, emergency care is advised. It is better to be assessed in case of doubt.
