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Can Panic Attacks Cause Damage To The Heart In The Long Run?

Posted on Tue, 10 Feb 2015

Question: Can panic attacks cause damage to the heart in the long run, went to a doc today and told me they can, freaked me out, called another doc and says they cant.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
panic-heart problems link is still not established

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Welcome here.

I can understand your concerns.

I would like to tell you that direct causation between panic disorder and heart problems in future, has NOT been established still.

There is some medical literature with the arguments that panic disorder could be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in long run. But this still needs more database for confirmation.

As for now, i think you need not worry about this and just try to stay calm. Otherwise this might further precipitate a panic attack.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to ask further.

Thanks.

Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD (Psychiatry).

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (37 minutes later)

Wow! Really doctor? Why would my doc say that when i told him i had bad anxiety, you definetly made me feel better, he even prescribed medication to calm my heart

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
psychological therapy is best for panic.

Detailed Answer:
Iam glad that my response helped you to feel better.

In my opinion, the best treatment for panic disorder is psychological therapies like systematic desensitization and biofeedback relaxation therapy.This is what I do with most of my patients and see wonderful results.

Slow and Deep breathing and meditation also help in panic disorder.

Medications(anti-anxiety drugs) are just given to abort episodes of intense anxiety and panic.

You can discuss these issues with your doctor.

Further queries are welcome.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (8 minutes later)

Really quick doc, this was a cardioligist and as you might think, he wasnt the only one who has checked me, but the only one that wanted to give me medicine to slow my heart, id figure that anxiety meds would be better, but he freaked me out because he said it will cause damage to my heart if i dont take the meds

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Anti-anxiety medication is better choice.

Detailed Answer:
I dont think there is any evidence that panic attack directly cause heart damage, as I mentioned earlier.
So, when there is no direct causation established, there can be no medicine to prevent heart damage due to panic attack.

I suggest you just take anti-anxiety medicine like klonopin (after consulting a psychiatrist as this is a prescription drug) and try psychological therapies as advised earlier.

Hope this help you.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (6 minutes later)

Last one, my panic attacks last hours, heart rate elevated, so my question is, does that cause heart damage?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No it doesnt.

Detailed Answer:
No, i still dont think it can cause heart damage.

But yes, you must see a psychiatrist for proper treatment of Panic disorder. I feel your cardiologist should refer you to a psychiatrist.

Happy to help you.

Thanks.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad