No, panic attack and heart attack symptoms are not always the same, but they ARE similar. One of the most well-known and key points in determining a heart attack is a shooting pain in the left arm. This usually occurs before cardiac arrest. And of course, you will experience chest pain, which can be anywhere from very light to excruciating. Panic attacks are usually accompanied by labored, erratic breathing, abnormally fast heartbeat, sweating, and trembling. You shouldn't really experience any pain in your left arm, which tends to be synonymous of a heart attack, but don't rule out that possibility. And don't worry if you're having a panic attack either...it doesn't mean you're having a heart attack. By worrying that you are having a heart attack during a common panic attack, you will increase your stress and possibly worsen your current condition. Panic attacks are often brought on by tremendous stress, sudden waves of heavy emotion such as fear or sadness, and just general nervousness. They can occur anywhere at anytime, whether you are feeling stressed at the moment or not. Some situations where you may have a panic attack include getting lost while driving, being in an overwhelming, highly populated area, worrying about a test, studying too much, etc. The undocumented but mostly agreed diagnosis is that women are much more prone to panic attacks than men, so keep that in mind also. Another condition with symptoms similar to heart attacks and panic attacks is Acid Reflux Disease. This is important also, since many people suffer from digestive conditions. Out of personal experience, i'm only 21 years old, but I have Acid Reflux, and even though I know that its the cause of it, sometimes the chest pain I get from the reflux is so painful that I am seriously worried that I'm having a heart attack, even though i'm not. But it is the excruciating pain that really throws me off. This pain is in the center of the chest, and can be easily confused with heart attack pain. People with this condition are also prone to hiatal hernias, which can cause constant pain in the chest area and elevate the pain of an acid attack. Check with your doctor to see if you have symptoms related to it. Overall, panic attacks and heart attacks are often confused because of the similarity of symptoms, but depending on your age and health, it is usually only one or the other. You may also have "angina" or "oggida" as it is sometimes called, which is strong chest pain brought on by environmental conditions, such as allergies, dust, cigarette smoke, or other factors. Remember that Panic attacks often come with hyperventilation, overwhelming emotion, sweat, trembling, very fast and erratic heartbeat, and are usually stress related occurences...heart attacks induce feelings of light-headedness and disorientation, shooting pain in the left arm, and chest pain. However, there are situations where heart attacks do NOT produce chest pain, or the pain is so slight that you barely notice it. I hope this information helps, but please look it up further at www.webmd.com. You will find alot more detailed information.

Hi...Also wanted to comment that I too experienced my first panic attack and thought I was having a heart attack and I am only 31yrs old. I been to the ER 4 times within one month and they did all kinds of heart test and bld work and everything came back fine. So now when I have a panic attack, I know it is not my heart which Im glad but it is still a scary feeling to go through. I just starting taking meds now so hopefully this anxiety will go away.

Correction on the answer saying that you shouldn't get pain in the left arm with a panic attack. I wouldn't dare answer that question without being a professional in the field, but since someone else who isn't one either has, I feel compelled to clarify this in case someone with panic disorder feels even more scared after reading that you shouldn't get pain in the left arm if you have panic attacks. Actually, the power of suggestion is so strong that you can get pain almost anywhere. If you fear you're having a heart attack your unconscious mind will produce symptoms that make you think you are. It's how psychosomatic illnesses operate!

ok well first lets understand the beginning of the anxiety thought process. 1 Feeling Anxious 2 ''Im sure my heart has missed a beat'' 3 worry makes the heart react 4 this confirms what you have just thought and you think ''oh my God i am having a heart attack'' Same can happen if you think your having a stroke With a real heart attack the symptoms normally just occur regardless of if your feeling under stress on not. However only if you have a serious heart defect then anxiety can be bad for the heart But in a healthy person its just like exercise for the heart and not at all dangerous. Although on a scale of 1 to 10 it feels 11. Ask yourself what the chances of you having a heart attack would be and they will turn out to be negligatale Generalised anxiety disorder affects about 1 in 50 people IF I EXPLAIN WHAT SYMPTOMS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE REAL ONES THEN YOU WILL START HAVING THEM AS A RESULT OF ANXIETY AND THEY WILL FEEL REAL. Anxiety affects you body in a physical way. Best of luck and Ive been through the same and I hope you get better soon