Heart attack and panic attack symptoms such as nausea and chest pain are incredibly similar. Distinguishing between these conditions can help you get the right medical care. Your cardiologist at Cardiovascular Diagnostic Center, Dr. Virginia Gonzalez, can help you with immediate medical attention if you have a heart attack in West Monroe, and Winnsboro, LA.
Heart Attack Symptoms
A heart attack occurs when a portion of your heart isn't getting enough blood supply. It's a serious heart condition requiring immediate medical care and some of its symptoms include:
- Pressure in chest
- Squeezing chest pain
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Discomfort in shoulders, jaw, neck, or arms
- Worsening symptoms
Panic Attack Symptoms
Panic attacks involve the sudden onset of anxiety and fear that may affect your quality of life. Frequent panic attacks may be associated with anxiety disorders. Panic attack symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- Sweating
- Chest pain
- Pounding heart
- Dizziness
- Shaking
- String anxiety or fear
- A feeling of impending doom
The Difference Between Panic Attacks And Heart Attacks?
Symptoms common to both conditions such as nausea, difficulty breathing, and chest pain make distinguishing between panic attacks and heart attacks in West Monroe, LA, challenging. However, some signs can help you discriminate between both conditions, like:
- Duration - Panic attacks tend to last some minutes and improve with time. On the other hand, heart attack symptoms may come in waves and worsen over time.
- Physical Activity - A heart attack may occur soon after physical activity such as running or walking up the stairs. Panic attacks don't generally get triggered by physical activity.
- Pain Location - Chest pain from panic attacks remains in your chest and you probably won't feel pain referred to other body areas. For heart attacks, pain may not be localized to your chest and may extend to other body areas such as your neck, shoulders, arms, and jaw.
- Pain Type - Heart attack chest pain can feel like you're bearing a heavy weight on your chest or heartburn. Panic attacks may feel like a stabbing pain or heart racing.
If you're having symptoms of heart attacks in West Monroe, and Winnsboro, LA, it's best to contact your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. If you think you're having a heart attack, call your doctor, Dr. Gonzalez of Cardiovascular Diagnostic Center at (318) 338-3540 for immediate care.