Studies suggest that women who have experienced panic attacks may be at increased cardiac risk. In fact, a recent study found that postmenopausal women who experienced at least one panic attack were four times as likely to have heart disease as women who had never had a panic attack.

Symptoms of Panic:

If you suffer from panic attacks, common symptoms such as dramatic, overwhelming fear, anxiety and generalized irritability often occur and aren’t attributable to a real threat. Panic either strikes without warning or is triggered by a familiar but unpleasant situation. Elevators, public speaking or interactions with particularly contentious individuals can spark an attack.

When panic strikes, our body quickly shifts into overdrive causing a number of heightened and often uncomfortable feelings that can include:

- Overwhelming sense of impending doom

- Difficulty breathing -

- Palpitations and irregular heart beats-

- Sweating--

- Shakiness

- Dizziness

How do Panic Attacks Affect Our Heart?

Panic, stress and anxiety trigger the “fight-or-flight” response that leads to a flooding of hormones into our blood stream known as “catecholamines.” These powerful chemicals can be toxic to our heart causing decreased blood flow and making heart muscle irritable and prone to abnormal rhythms leading to palpitations. In some studies researchers speculate that panic attacks trigger dangerous heart rhythms associated with sudden cardiac events, including heart attacks.

Another possible mechanism for the relationship between panic attacks and heart disease is the possibility that symptoms of “panic” are in fact symptoms of real McCoy heart disease masquerading as panic. The point being, whether a true panic attack or an acute cardiac condition, symptoms should not be taken lightly.

Panic - A Dangerous Imposter

There tends to be overlap of symptoms common to both heart disease and panic attacks that make it challenging even for specialists to distinguish between the two. Shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness, for example can be seen in both disorders. And women who are in the throes of a heart attack or other acute heart problems are much more likely to be misdiagnosed than are men with similar symptoms.

Diagnosing Panic Attacks

The most important component to making the correct diagnosis of a panic attack is a thorough history and physical. Your doctor will glean most of the vital information from this interview so be sure you’re honest and forthright about prior medical history and contributing factors such as drug, alcohol, diet supplement or caffeine use.

If your symptoms mimic heart conditions, tests such as an ECG or an echocardiogram may be part of the work up. Other conditions such as thyroid disease and epilepsy also mimic panic attacks, so tests depend on your specific symptoms and doctor’s analysis.

Treating Panic Attacks

Remember that panic attacks are real and can wreak havoc on your delicate cardiovascular tissue especially if they go untreated. Data suggests that women with panic attacks are more likely to have cardiac events, which mean the days of “it’s all in your head” are long over.

Whatever you do, don’t panic because there are a number of anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and behavioral therapies that are extremely effective at treating this disorder. In addition to a good consultation with a medical professional, simple things like diet and healthy food choices, exercise and disciplines such as yoga, tai chi and qi gong are extremely helpful for warding off panic.

So, if you or someone you know has panic attacks be heart-smart - make sure you seek medical advice because there are a number of very effective therapies that will help you stop panic in its tracks

Dr. John Kennedy is an invasive cardiologist who practices in Southern CaliforniaMarina Del Rey Hospital in Marina Del Rey, Calif. He is and works primarily as the Director of Preventative Cardiology and Wellness at the co-author of the book "Breathe: Heal Your Heart in Just 15 Minutes a Day," which will be released by John Wiley & Sons in  February 2009. Learn more  at www.johnmkennedymd.com. Send your questions to John@smartnow.com.