It can be hard to identify between a panic attack and a heart attack in a person. Many of
the presenting symptoms of heart attack and panic attack are similar. It is a lethal mistake to
treat a patient having a heart attack as a panic episode. The effects to the body of a person who
suffered a heart attack can be non-reversible, debilitating and can even lead to death.
Hence, it is safe to assume that a person presenting with these symptoms are suffering
from a heart attack. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a machine often used to rule out heart related
diseases in a panic attack. Blood test and history taking are also done to support the findings.
Shortened Version: It is of vital importance that a panic attack be distinguished from a heart
attack especially because the manifestations could be similar.
Tags: panic attack versus heart attack, panic attack and heart attack