Is it anxiety or is it my heart?

Your chest suddenly feels tight, your heart is racing, and you are overwhelmed with a feeling of worry - is this an anxiety attack or a heart attack? Should you go to the hospital?

Frighteningly, many of the symptoms of a heart attack can look like a panic attack, says Reid Health Heart and Vascular Center nurse practitioner Melissa Griffin. "Certainly, the symptoms of a heart attack can look like an anxiety attack, and in the moment, it can be hard for someone to tell the difference."

Both a heart attack and anxiety attack can have symptoms like shortness of breath, a sense or feeling of fearfulness or dread, chest pain, sweating, and an uneven heartbeat or heart palpations. While they feel uncomfortable, anxiety attacks pose no immediate threat to your health. On the other hand, heart attacks can be debilitating and sometimes even deadly.

How do panic attack symptoms differ from heart attack symptoms?

Panic attacks are typically seen with sharp pain in the center of the chest that comes with some stressful event, but these symptoms usually get better with time.

On the other hand, a heart attack often feels like a squeezing pain in the chest and usually happens during physical exertion like chopping wood or exercising. Heart attack pain gets worse with time and can often radiate to your arm, jaw, or shoulder, and the pain will last longer.

It's also important to note that the symptoms of heart attack can look different for women and diabetics, and can even include nausea or back pain.

What should I do if I'm not sure if it's a heart attack or anxiety attack?

It's a smart idea to call 911 if you suspect that your symptoms might be a heart attack - even if you are not sure.

While they may look similar, a heart attack and anxiety attack need to be treated in very different ways. "With heart attacks, timeliness matters," Melissa says. "Your chances for good outcomes improve with early treatment." That's one of the reasons it is a smart idea to call an ambulance or head to a hospital - even if you're not sure if it's a heart attack - so doctors can perform tests like EKGs to determine the cause of your symptoms and rule out a potentially deadly heart attack.

If you're experiencing symptoms that might be a heart attack, you should go to the emergency room, especially if any of the following are true:

• You or your family has a history of heart disease, coronary disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
• You are a smoker
• You have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder but are experiencing new or unusual symptoms that you're unsure about
• You have never had a panic attack before

If you go to the emergency room and discover that your symptoms are related to anxiety, it might be a good time to find a provider who can treat behavioral and mental health concerns; don't endure these symptoms alone.