Can Panic Attacks Be Fatal? Understanding the Reality

Can You Die from a Panic Attack? Understanding Its Link To Anxiety And Mental Health Concerns

Panic attacks can occur suddenly and seemingly without reason. They’re often associated with panic disorder and anxiety disorder, and the symptoms can be very distressing. You might feel shortness of breath, a spike in blood pressure, or even pain in your chest, which could lead some to fear they are having a heart attack.

But, can you die from a panic attack?

Whether it is your first time having a panic attack or something that occurs regularly, you may fear the symptoms you experience. Panic attacks are physical and emotional responses to anxiety, fear, and stress, causing physiological changes such as a racing heart and intense chest pain. As physical symptoms are commonly reported during panic attacks, one may believe that they are dying, harmed, or sick when they occur.

Although anxiety and panic disorder may have physical and mental health risks, it is not common to die from a panic attack. However, if you are having severe and unrelenting chest pain, fever, chills, heart palpitations, or shortness of breath, visit an emergency room to rule out a medical emergency due to cardiovascular issues, such as acute myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease, as these conditions are potentially fatal.

Understanding the reality of panic attacks

It is not common for panic attacks to be fatal. They are often symptoms of a mental health condition, such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. In some cases, physical symptoms and extreme fear may worsen existing health conditions, like cardiovascular disease.

If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of a physical illness on top of your panic attack, contact your primary healthcare provider for screening. In some cases, panic disorder may cause symptoms that seem impossible to bear on your own. Urgent care, hospitals, or your primary care physician, in the case of crisis, may also offer medical support through appropriate interventions.

Although panic attacks are unlikely to kill you, chronic anxiety and stress can negatively affect your health and lead to chronic health conditions like coronary heart disease. Stress can cause inflammation that may take a toll on the systems in your body, potentially leading to heart problems, including high blood pressure or heart muscle damage due to reduced blood flow. These subsequent health issues can directly cause cardiovascular death.

Coping with stress in unhealthy ways, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, increases the risk of heart attack. Effective long-term treatments for stress management can be vital in preventing both heart attacks and panic attacks. Some individuals talk to their healthcare provider about strategies to reduce the chance of panic attacks. To stay healthy and prevent anxiety and stress-related illnesses, consider reaching out for support for your panic attacks.

If you have chest pain, have never had a panic attack before, or have a family history of cardiac issues like heart disease, general medical advice from healthcare professionals and medically-reviewed sources would be to go to the hospital to ensure you’re not in danger.

The constant release of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in your body during an attack may cause an increased risk of health concerns over time. Additionally, one might experience migraines, headaches, stomach upset, and other physical symptoms commonly related to anxiety. Notably, a study published in the American Journal of Medicine also posits that individuals with heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation are more likely to develop anxiety disorders, which may include panic disorder.

Recognizing panic attack symptoms

At times, the symptoms of a panic attack might resemble those of a heart attack. Your chest may tighten, you may be dizzy, and it could become difficult to breathe. You may also experience a tingling sensation in your fingers or arms. However, there are a few differences between a cardiovascular emergency and a panic attack.

The tingling in your arms from a panic attack may be caused by hyperventilating from taking rapid breaths. You might experience numbness and pain on both sides of your body. When someone has a heart attack, on the other hand, the pain and tingling are usually isolated to the left arm and mostly the left side or center of the chest, combined with pressure or heaviness. Many people also experience heart attack pain in their back.

Sources state that heart attacks often occur during physical exertion, whereas panic attacks can occur at rest. Additionally, panic attacks are often short-term, whereas heart attacks may worsen over time and become unbearable.

When you have a panic attack, other physical symptoms may include:

• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Tingling fingers, arms, and hands
• Chest pain
• Heart rate changes or palpitations
• Difficulty breathing
• Sensing you might faint
• Headache

Since the symptoms of panic attacks can look like a heart attack, doctors recommend visiting the ER if you’re unsure, as it may save your life. Some people may think it is better to have a false alarm than stay at home when experiencing a potential medical emergency. If panic attack symptoms do not improve after 30 minutes, consider contacting a medical professional to rule out more serious conditions.

Understanding panic episode causes

Panic attacks are often a symptom of panic disorder and are not the same as anxiety or fear. A panic episode is a sudden episode of intense fear that causes severe physical reactions. These attacks can occur at any time, and many people with panic disorder experience worry about the possibility of having another episode. You may also experience an attack without panic disorder — not everyone who experiences panic attacks will be diagnosed with a disorder.

Going to school, work, the grocery store, or driving may be difficult if anxiety or fear overwhelms the brain and body. Panic disorder often begins in the late teen years or early adulthood and is more common in women.

Panic attacks and the disorder are highly treatable health conditions. However, many may be afraid to seek diagnosis or treatment due to shame or fear. They may have experienced invalidation from medical professionals or worry that their symptoms cannot be helped. However, panic attacks are treatable.

There are steps to take to mitigate panic attack symptoms. However, making logical or cognitive decisions during an episode may be difficult. Physical symptoms might be overwhelming or may cause the feeling of being frozen or with the urge to run away. They can also cause crying, shaking, or curling up on the floor. These can be the usual symptoms of an episode.

To cope with a panic episode, try to remember that the attacks are often temporary, short-term, and not dangerous. If you have trouble calming down, consider contacting a mental health professional or a trusted friend. If there are coping skills that generally work when you’re anxious, they may benefit you during an attack.

How ReachLink can help with panic attacks

At ReachLink, we understand the overwhelming nature of panic attacks and offer several evidence-based approaches to help manage and reduce their occurrence. Our licensed clinical social workers specialize in treating anxiety disorders and panic attacks and are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Through therapy, education, and coping strategies, we aim to empower you to regain control over your anxiety and reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.

Remember, while panic attacks can be frightening, they are manageable with appropriate treatment and support. Early intervention and consistent care can not only alleviate symptoms but also improve your overall quality of life. Seeking help is a vital step toward recovery and maintaining both your mental and physical health.

In conclusion, panic attacks themselves are unlikely to be fatal, but they should never be ignored, especially if you experience new or severe symptoms. Understanding the difference between panic attacks and more serious conditions like heart attacks is crucial, as is knowing when to seek emergency care. With proper awareness, medical guidance, and emotional support, you can effectively navigate panic disorders and lead a fulfilling, healthy life.