Dr Vohra's · Updated
Features that point to a heart problem
With any of these, get emergency care. An ECG and a troponin blood test settle the question quickly.
- Pressure or squeezing in the centre of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
- Pain spreading to the left arm, jaw, back or upper stomach
- Pain brought on by exertion and eased by rest
- Cold sweat with the pain, nausea
- Age over 40, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, family history
Features that point to panic
Both can co-exist; a person with heart disease can also have panic attacks, which is why the first attack is assessed medically.
- Sudden onset, peak within 10 minutes, fading within 30
- Tingling in hands or around the mouth, dizziness, a feeling of unreality
- Fear of dying, going mad or losing control during the attack
- Triggered by stress, a crowded place, or nothing at all, often at rest
- Normal ECG and tests, repeatedly
- A pattern of attacks and growing avoidance
After the heart has been ruled out
Stop repeating cardiac tests; each normal result reassures for a day and feeds the fear for a month. Book a psychiatrist or psychologist. CBT for panic, usually 8 to 12 sessions, teaches what the body is doing and removes the fear of the sensations; an SSRI helps where attacks are frequent. Dr Vohra's treats panic disorder in person in New Delhi or online.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a panic attack damage the heart?
- No. A panic attack is an adrenaline surge; it is frightening but not dangerous to a healthy heart.
- Why do my attacks happen at night?
- Nocturnal panic attacks wake people from sleep and are common in panic disorder. They respond to the same treatment.
- How do I book at Dr Vohra's?
- Call or WhatsApp +91 99992 49223, email help@drvohras.com, or use the contact form. In person at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008, or online across India.
- What if this is an emergency?
- Call Tele-MANAS 14416 or KIRAN 1800-599-0019 (24x7, free) or 112. Dr Vohra's is not an emergency service.