Panic attack vs. heart attack: How to tell the difference

The symptoms of a panic attack and a heart attack can be very similar, making it hard to differenciate.

Also, having a heart attack can result to panic, which may make the situation more confusing. If someone thinks they may be having a heart attack, they should seek emergency medical attention.

Every year, about 2 to 3 percent of people in the United States experience panic disorder. Symptoms of a panic attack can include:

• sharp pain in the chest
• tingling in the hands
• shortness of breath
• racing heart
• sweating
• shaking

Every year, about 735,000 people in the United States have a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• nausea
• vomiting
• sweating

While the symptoms of these two conditions overlap, knowing how to tell the difference can be lifesaving.

How to tell the difference

Knowing the difference between a panic attack vs. heart attack can be difficult, especially if a person has never experienced the symptoms of either before.

Distinguishing between the two conditions can be made easier by several factors, including:

Characteristics of the pain

A squeezing sensation may characterize a heart attack.

Although chest pain is common to both a panic attack and a heart attack, the characteristics of the pain often differ.

During a panic attack, chest pain is usually sharp or stabbing and localized to the middle of the chest.

Chest pain from a heart attack may resemble pressure or a squeezing sensation.

Chest pain that occurs due to a heart attack may also start in the center of the chest, but can then radiate from the chest to the arm, jaw, or shoulder blades.