Panic Attack vs Heart Attack
By the AllHealth UK editorial teamLast reviewed Next review due Compiled from published NHS and NICE guidance. Not reviewed by a clinician.
Is it a panic attack or a heart attack?
Both cause chest discomfort, a pounding heart and breathlessness, and you cannot reliably tell them apart on your own. Most panic attacks last 5 to 20 minutes, though some go on for up to an hour. Heart attack pain feels heavy or crushing, may spread to the arm, jaw or back, and does not settle. If there is any doubt at all, call 999.
Immediate action required: call 999 or go to A&E if
- Chest pain that feels tight, heavy or like squeezing on your chest and does not go away
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck, back or stomach
- Chest pain with sweating, feeling sick, or shortness of breath
- You have been told you are at risk of heart disease and something feels wrong
If you are weighing up whether it is bad enough to call, that is itself a reason to call. Nobody is annoyed by a 999 call that turns out to be the less serious of the two.
| Feature | Panic Attack | Heart Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Typical signs |
|
|
| How long it lasts | Most last 5 to 20 minutes, occasionally up to an hour | Ongoing — doesn't resolve on its own |
| What helps | Breathing exercises, grounding techniques, CBT | Call 999. Sit and rest with your back supported and knees bent. Take 300mg aspirin if you have it and are not allergic. Do not drive yourself to A&E |
| What to do | See a GP | Call 999 now |
Sources and further reading
This page was written from the following published guidance. All links checked 26 August 2026.
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