JANE:
I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH BOTH ANXIETY AND HEART ARYTHMIAS. I DO KNOW THAT EVERYBODY EXPERIENCES SOME SORT OF HEART ARYTHMIAS, BUT THOSE WHO ARE IN AN ANXIOUS STATE ARE MORE LIKELY TO ACTUALLY FEEL THEM. I TAKE MEDICATION FOR BOTH ANXIETY AND AN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME TO FURTHER DISCUSS:
***@****.
MARC
Dear Jane,
A panic attack is defined as a discrete period of intense discomfort accompanied by four or more of the following symptoms
that develop abruptly and reach a peak within ten minutes- palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, fear of losing control, fear of dying, hot flashes. Panic attacks can occur in mental disorders other than Panic Disorder. Some panic attacks do not easily fit easily into the distinction between unexpeced and expected, and these
attacks are referred to as situationally predisposed; they may or may not occur when a patient is exposed to a specific trigger, or they may occur either immediately after exposure or after a considerable delay.
It is not uncommon for panic attacks to last for 20-30 minutes but usually last less than an hour. Symptoms of panic attacks
may mimic some medical conditions like anemia, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, among others.
It is best that you see a mental health profesional or a general medical doctor for an evaluation.