Are anxiety attacks dangerous?

Whenever I smoke pot, I get anxiety attacks. I had been smoking it regularly for about 2 years, until last november when they started.

I will take a hit, and wait for a little bit. 2-3 minutes after, I get this HORRIBLE feeling in the center of my chest. It feels like someone is holding a gun to my head and counting down until when they shoot me. Then my heart rates spikes up, and starts POUNDING. I can feel it racing, and pounding in my chest, and my throat.

At this point, I usually start walking around really briskly (my doctor told me to MOVE whenever I have a panic attack) but it doesn't calm me down. I try deep breathing, but all it does is make me feel my heart rate even easier and doesn't resolve.

My question is, with my heart beating from 140-160 bpm at complete rest, for like 2 hours straight (duration of the panic attack), is that dangerous to my health? Could it cause me to have a heart attack, or cardiac arrest?

I have had an ECG, Echocardiogram, Echo stress test, chest X-ray, holter monitor, and blood tests. They have all said my heart is healthy. I am a 20 year old male, non-cigarette smoker.

I want to know because I want to keep smoking weed.  If all your going to do is post about how marijuana is the devil's plant and I'm a horrible person for smoking, then you can keep it to yourself.

[jondsam]

Panic attacks are in no way harmful to your health.  They will not have any effect on your cardio system and pose no threat to your health what so ever.  Many people get panic attacks when they smoke pot, but its not a reason to quit.  Try to tell yourself your are going to be fine before you smoke amd try to enjoy your high.  Do not sit there and think OH NO a panic attacks is coming I know it.  Relax and do not worry about it.  I have suffered from panic attacks for years, and finally once I understood nothing was wrong with me, I hardly have them at all anymore.  Panic attacks are mental, and your bodies natural response to "anxiety".  Man take a hit and relax, and if you get a panic attack take slow breaths, tell yourself you are going to be fine, and do not worry about it.  If i get one now they only last a couple of minutes at best instead of hours.
Happy smoking dude

[Soup6]

Thanks man, you just made my day, rolling a spliff as I type hahaha.

[tan1225]

I do not mean to laugh at your post because I suffer panic attacks but, it made me feel like i was not the only one whofeels sometimes.. I do not smoke pot but sometimes when I drink i wake up at night and my heart is racing.. NOt quite as high as yours but i always pop a half a xanax and it is done in 10 minutes...  is this the only time it happens?  when yo take a hit or do you have panic attacks more than that...  if you are really concerned, ask to wear a holter monitor, then smoke a joint so the episode is caught on  the monitor . taht way the doctor knows exactly what it is.. they could rule out svt, etc.. which by the way is not dangerous....  Maybe you are allergic to pot.. that would suck but maybe its an adverse reaction or something.. In any case I really do not think it is anything to be concerned about... .. breath and relax

[mjl7743]

People who use a forum like this use it for serious health reasons and not because they have a pot habbit, it amazes me that posts such as this exist on a forum like this.  I joined to see if I could find some help for my husband but if your post is anything to go by I have joined the wrong forum