Panic attacks<\/a> are not simply moments of anxiety. In fact, they are extremely commonly mistaken for heart attacks, which is actually one of the reasons that they are so hard to overcome: it\u2019s difficult to remain calm when you think that you\u2019re having a heart attack!<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is true because a heart attack will cause the heart to beat extremely rapidly, as well as causing you to breathe more quickly and shallowly. This is triggered at least in part by the release of large amounts of excitatory neurotransmitters such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A common experience when having a panic attack is to wake up in the middle of the night with an overwhelming sense of dread and often with extremely rapid and painful palpitations. It might feel as though someone is sitting on your chest, and you might be sure you are having a heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more you focus on the symptoms though, and the more you try to \u2018force\u2019 yourself to be calm, the more stressed and anxious you can become. This might eventually result in fainting! So instead, try to go about your usual business \u2013 safe in the knowledge that this is not a heart attack and you are not in any physical danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n