Difference Between Anxiety & Heart Troubles

The signs and symptoms of both heart and anxiety troubles are often very similar. Nevertheless, the conditions are very different and not getting proper treatment may lead to serious consequences.

Similarities

Anxiety and heart attacks cause severe pain and tightness in the chest. Difficulty breathing, profuse sweating and trembling occur during both heart and anxiety attacks.

Differences

The pain felt in the chest during heart attacks and anxiety attacks is the main difference between the two. Heart attacks cause chest pain followed by an irregularly fast heartbeat. Anxiety attacks cause pain in the chest, but not necessarily in the center of the chest as in a heart attack.

Considerations

Another big difference between heart and anxiety problems is the fact that anxiety attacks cause shortness of breath, while heart attacks cause rapid breathing.

Significance

According to Roger S. Blumenthal of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, it is important to note that anxiety attacks are not medically dangerous while heart attacks are. People who suffer from anxiety attacks should be treated by a psychiatrist as opposed to a conventional medical doctor.

Expert Insight

It is important to know the difference between heart and anxiety problems so you don't go to get treated for a condition you do not have. People often are rushed to the hospital for a heart attack when an anxiety attack has actually occurred.

References

• Anxietyinsight.com
• John Hopkins