Anyone who has experienced a panic attack is not likely to forget it. The intense fear and nervousness are bad enough, and the physical symptoms only make it worse – the racing heart, rapid pulse, sweating, dizziness, chest pain, stomach pain, and even a feeling of choking.
Panic attacks can occur anytime, even while sleeping. They are frightening in part because they seemingly come out of nowhere – there is no specific, apparent danger that provokes them. But new research shows that the attacks themselves may pose a serious risk. One recent study suggests that people who have panic attacks (officially called panic disorder) may be at higher risk of heart attack and heart disease later in life; more on that later.
Panic disorder affects around 6 million adults in the U.S., with women twice as likely to develop the condition as men. It’s classified as an anxiety disorder, and often begins in the teens or early adulthood. Sharon Paxton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in Vero Beach, says that panic disorder very often has its roots in childhood trauma – which most of us experienced to one degree or another. Experts also think that a combination of biological and environmental factors is associated with the condition, including family history and stressful life events.
The death of spouse can be one such stressful event, especially if the surviving spouse has little or no experience living alone. Paxton says, “This can be especially true for older women. Many went from living with their parents to living with their husbands, and now are at a loss to manage their lives independently.”
Panic disorder is considered one of the most treatable of the anxiety disorders, often through a combined approach:
• Psychotherapy. A common form is called cognitive, or behavioral, therapy. A psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health provider (such as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker) helps the person become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking, so challenging situations can be viewed more clearly and responded to in a more effective way. In the case of an anxious surviving spouse, Paxton helps her clients start the process of re-establishing their own identity by encouraging them to get financial advice as needed, join groups, and nurture the relationships in their lives, including those that may have fallen by the wayside.
• Biofeedback. This is a technique that teaches people how to change psychological and physiological activity for the purposes of improving health. Instruments measure activity such as brainwaves, heart function, breathing, muscle activity, and skin temperature that occur in conjunction with emotional states such as anxiety and panic. The feedback enables patients to get a handle on negative emotions and change the way they feel for the better.
• Medications. Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants are sometimes prescribed to treat panic disorder. Beta blockers, primarily used to treat hypertension, can be prescribed to control the rapid heartbeat and racing pulse seen in the condition.
The research about the link between panic disorder and heart problems was conducted at the University of Adelaide’s School of Medicine in Australia; the results were published in the journal Psychological Medicine. The researchers analyzed 12 studies involving more than 1 million people, of whom slightly more than 58,000 had coronary heart disease. The big takeaway was that people who suffered from panic disorder were up to 36 percent more likely to have a heart attack, and up to 47 percent more likely to have heart disease than those without panic attacks.
While the researchers say their study has identified a clear link between panic disorder and heart problems, they also say the reasons for the link remain unclear. Team member Gary Wittert says, “The link between panic disorders and heart disease remains controversial, partly due to overlapping symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations and shortness of breath.” He also said the possibility exists that the symptoms of a panic disorder represent a misdiagnosed heart condition.
The study concluded that those who suffer from panic attacks should keep a close eye on their heart health. John Beltrame, another member of the research team, says, “This new data suggesting a link between panic disorders and coronary heart disease underscores the importance of these patients seeking medical attention for their chest pain symptoms and not merely attributing them to their panic attacks.”
Sharon Paxton’s private practice is located at 1850 43rd Ave in Vero Beach; her phone number is (772) 321-4575.
