Symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea are common when experiencing a heart attack or panic attack. Although they are due to various causes and trigger certain reactions in the body, both conditions are serious and need to be treated.
It is important to learn to differentiate the signs of attacks. Heart problems, for example, can be sudden and severe, but they usually start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort that gets worse over time.
Panic attacks happen quickly and usually peak within ten minutes. It can be triggered by a traumatic event or a lot of daily stress, but it can also happen for no apparent reason.
Regardless of whether or not it’s a heart attack, the first step should always be to seek out the emergency room, MD, explains Carolyn Regada, MD, who specializes in critical care medicine.
“You shouldn’t take any chances, the symptoms are so similar that sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. When in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and get evaluated quickly at the hospital to make sure it’s not a heart problem.” ,” He Warns.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the heart muscle is severely reduced or interrupted, usually due to blockages in the coronary arteries. It is recommended to call the emergency services as soon as the symptoms begin.
And adds the expert: “But if the medical examination shows that the heart is in good health, the patient may have had a panic attack, especially if the physical symptoms were accompanied by intense fear.”
Panic Attack
Caroline says that a panic attack is not to be taken lightly. “It’s not silly and it’s no small thing. It’s not all in your head. It’s like the body’s alarm system is going off,” she says.
The doctor points out that panic disorder can cause recurrent attacks, and it is estimated that about 6 million Brazilians suffer from this syndrome. Anxiety became more common after the pandemic started.
The fan stresses that although panic disorder is largely misunderstood, it can be treated. “It’s critical to seek help from a mental health professional who can recommend treatments,” she explains.
Pay Attention to The Signs
Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, but women are more likely to have other signs, such as shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.
It’s important to discuss the risks of a heart attack with a doctor, who can help identify and treat risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. However, the expert points out that even people without risk factors can develop heart disease. “If in doubt, a health professional should check it,” he concludes.
