Can Panic Attack Cause Increased Heart Rate?

Posted on Sat, 24 May 2014

Question: I have been going much anxiety in the last few weeks. Yesterday i had a panic attach were my heart raced 147+ it seemed to be going faster than 147 but that's what was measured at the ER. This happened two time where my pulsed raced that high and both were after coffee. The ER doctor said that panic attacks cant produce a heart rate higher than 140 but my friend who is a psychiatrist disagrees.

The ER doc said could be SVT friend sais panic.

Can a panic attack produce that heart rate been having panic attacks with lower heart rate for a week.

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Heart rate more than 150 is possible

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.

Panic attack leads to increase in heart rate and that is vary from patient from patient. I have seen patient with panic attack with heart rates up to 220 bpm, blood pressure 210/120 etc. In your case, if every investigations is normal, then it is due to panic attack. In that case, if you have any doubt, you can go for though cardiac investigations and if it come normal, then you can take benzodiazepine on sos basis after psychiatrist consultation. You can also try relaxation exercise that would keep you calm.

In case, you have further query, you can ask.

Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad