What is the difference between panic symptoms and heart attack symptoms?

Answer

Anxiety attacks normally do not produce numbness of the left arm and shoulder, or pain in the arm and shoulder, as well as chest pain. Blue fingertips and fingernails are another thing which anxiety attacks normally do not cause.

On the other hand, these don't always occur in mild heart attack situations, either.

Many of the symptoms of a panic attack will mimic those of angina, mild heart attack, or even temporary hypoglycemia. If you are unsure what it could be, get to a doctor ASAP.

Answer

There is a large majority of people that end up in ER feeling as if they are having a heart attack when it's anxiety (but it should always be checked out by your doctor.) I had suffered from severe panic attacks in the 70s and also Agoraphobia and I had tightening of the chest, tingling down the left arm and into the jaw. I was terrified and thought I was having a heart attack. I was in my 30s then and I am now 65 so there you go!

I suggest you take up something like yoga, exercise at a gym, or at least walk one hour per day to get your heart rate going and this also lowers the adrenal gland from pumping so hard during anything stressful (which can cause the above symptoms and also racing heart). I also took courses on Cognitive Therapy which tricks your mind into dealing with stressful situations and I use it to this day because it works! It takes practice, but can be done.

First answer by Scootwhoman. Last edit by Marcy. Contributor trust: 3520 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 33 [recommend question]