. Apical : . Apical ballooning syndrome or "broken heart syndrome" affects mainly postmenopausal women, but can occur in persons of any age. It typically occurs after severe mental or emotional stress such as the loss of a spouse or child. The symptoms mimic those of a heart attack, but unlike heart attack patients, these patients to not have blockages in their heart arteries. The symptoms are very similar to a heart attack and the patient often is initially diagnosed and treated as if they are experiencing a heart attack, however, they are actually experiencing a ballooning and weakening of the left ventricle, which is the pumping chamber of the heart. This temporary weakening of the heart is often completely reversible. It's thought that when the individual experiences severe emotional stress, stress hormones may be released causing temporary constriction of the arteries of the heart weakening the heart wall. Most heart attacks are caused by a complete or near complete blockage of a heart artery as opposed to constriction of the artery. True heart attacks typically occur in individuals with risk factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, tobacco use, or diabetes. Broken heart syndrome can occur in individuals that do not otherwise have known risk factors for heart attacks. Panic could help precipitate a heart attack if the person has underlying risk factors for heart attacks. Hyperventilating can lead to lower oxygen levels in the body leading to heart attacks to those with other risk factors. Panic attacks that cause elevations in blood pressure or heart rate could theoretically cause a cholesterol plaque to break off causing a blockage of a heart blood vessel leading to a heart attack. However, the frequency of this occurring is not specifically known.
Answered 10/3/2016
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Panicpanic attacks: It is very rare for a panic attack to actually cause a heart attack. The symptoms though can be very similar.
Answered 3/26/2013
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