The irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation afib , a physical disorder, shares some symptoms with a panic attack, an emotional problem, said John Day, MD, director of Heart Rhythm Services at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City. Pounding in your chest, difficulty breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and feeling dizzy or lightheaded are panic attack symptoms that overlap with afib symptoms.
Sudden onset is another. A single panic attack can last a few minutes or an hour. A type of arrhythmia called supraventricular tachycardia SVT can make your heart beat as much as to times a minute. This is the heart arrhythmia most likely to be mistaken for a panic attack. One difference with afib though, is that the irregular heartbeat symptoms start and stop suddenly.
With a panic attack, your heart rate slowly returns to normal. Another difference is that your heartbeat in atrial fibrillation is totally erratic.
Your medical history may offer hints as to whether you're experiencing a panic attack or afib. Often panic attacks are precipitated by some anxiety or depression or another psychiatric difficulty. Also, whether you've had a panic attack in the past could be a clue.
Some people notice their heart speeding up or fluttering, which triggers fear or anxiety. The palpitations may cause anxiety, and anxiety causes more palpitations. Nearly everyone experiences anxiety and stress at some time. A healthy heart can handle the heart racing with occasional anxiety and stress. But if you have a heart condition like coronary artery disease or heart failure, work with a doctor to manage it.
In these circumstances, anxiety and a fast heart rate can trigger chest pain. Frequent anxiety is another story. Treatments are available. Nearly everyone faces an anxiety-provoking situation at some point. Whatever it is, there are some ways to help calm that fight-or-flight response and slow your heart rate :. Your doctor can help you discover the causes and provide treatment if needed.
Most of the time, palpitations are just a sign that your heart is temporarily working a little harder. Praveen K. His areas of expertise include ventricular arrhythmias, premature ventricular complexes, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, pacemakers, defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Rao subsequently completed a residency in internal medicine and fellowships in cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Skip to content. About the author. Rao, MD. More articles. February 14, When you should worry about an irregular heartbeat.
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