HomeAnswersCardiothoracic SurgeryanxietyI have a family history of heart disease. Heart attack risk?

Can anxiety and panic attacks cause a heart attack?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At October 2, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 13, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I suffered from anxiety and had a history of panic attacks seven months ago this year. I am worried that I will get a heart attack. I went to the emergency room 48 hours ago, and the doctors performed an ECG, blood test, and X-ray. Everything came back unremarkable. My friend passed away last week from a heart attack at the age of 35. He was complaining of chest pain. He also had his blood tests, an ultrasound, and an MRI reported as normal. He had a habit of smoking. I am attaching my reports. Kindly suggest.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I reviewed your history and test reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). All your results look normal. Your complaints are most likely related to your anxiety. Anxiety mimics cardiac complaints. But you have a family history of coronary heart disease. Therefore, you need to rule out that there is no problem with your coronary arteries. Coronary angiography is the diagnostic method that will definitively detect whether there is a problem in your coronary arteries. However, since this method is invasive, I recommend the less-invasive CT (computed tomography) coronary angiography method. This examination will give you an idea by revealing your coronary anatomy and calcium score. On the other hand, I recommend you continue using medications for your anxiety.

Patient's Query

Hello,

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your detailed reply, doctor.

My friend suddenly passed away at the age of 35 from a heart attack. He did an ultrasound, a CT scan, and blood work, and all returned unremarkable. I am just worried now about myself. Kindly help.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You do not need to be worried. When I have problems, I feel chest pain for many years. It is a psychological problem. Do not worry and relax, check your coronary arteries with CT (computed tomography) angiography.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I am worried about death, which is why I am concerned about heart attacks. Kindly help.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

All the test reports you provided (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) are normal, and there is no evidence to be worried about your heart condition. Relax and take your anti-anxiety medications, then report to me with your CT (computed tomography) angiography results.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your advice.

Also, can I take a tablet of Cialis before intercourse? Will Cialis cause a heart attack? Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, you can take it. It is safe and does not cause a heart attack.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I will try and relax. I think focusing too much on my bodily sensations causes me to panic. I have been experiencing panic attacks for about 30 minutes and shortness of breath. I noticed a pain in my left chest two to three times, which disappeared later on. I have a muscle ache or pinched nerve in my left shoulder blade, which I think could be contributing. It was not a cardiac-related attack, was it?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I do not think it is related to the heart. Do you have a neck hernia? A neck hernia often shows findings similar to cardiac complaints. And also, muscle pain causes chest discomfort.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I do not have a neck hernia. But I frequently train at the gym, which may explain the chest discomfort.

Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, heavy exercises cause muscle and chest pain. But I told you before that you should get CT (computed tomography) coronary angiography results to clear coronary artery problems.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply,

I have an appointment booked with the cardiologist after a month.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

That will be fine.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply,

I found out that my friend's dad had a heart attack at the age of 42, and my friend passed away at the age of 35. He complained of chest pain for two months but did not consult a doctor. I had a blood test that showed a high protein level in my blood. I am not sure what that indicates.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Mostly, high protein levels are not related to heart disease. It is related to the liver or other organs.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply,

I have sometimes felt my heart have a weird heartbeat, like it is stronger and out of rhythm. Is this common?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Our heart rhythm changes throughout the day, sometimes faster, slower, stronger, or weaker. This is related to our daily activities.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I noticed that it changes best while I am resting.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

When we rest, our heart also rests.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply,

Noted.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thanks,

Take care.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muzaffer Bahcivan
Dr. Muzaffer Bahcivan

Cardiothoracic Surgery

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