Panic attacks

[Bell1070]

I had a heart attack and a stent fitted last week. I've started developing severe panic attacks which last for several hours. Does anyone have any ideas as I am at a loss!

[Sunnie2day]

First of all - it's important you tell your cardiac team and or GP as soon as possible about the panic attacks, especially as it's taking you hours to get it under control - that doesn't sound good and the medical team needs to be sure you actually are having panic attacks.

If they are indeed panic attacks, the medics have all sorts of ways to help you cope including breathing into a paper bag, using breathing exercises to get breathing back to a more normal state, and knowing when it's likely to be a heart attack and not a panic attack.

So far I've not had the same physical problems you've had but I do have multiple heart conditions, and I have experienced panic attacks determined to be related to the heart worries (which over the past year or so have progressed to needing more medical intervention than I'd like, so yes, a few panic attacks over the past year especially). Having heart problems leads to all sorts including panic attacks - all it takes for me to start going into hyperventilation is imagining about all the ways this could go badly, and from what I've read here and elsewhere, that is a common reaction to knowing the ticker isn't ticking as reliably as we'd prefer.

Call your cardiac nurse (if you have one) or book in with your GP if you've been discharged back to GP care - they need to know about the panic attacks.

[skid112 Heart Star]

hi there,

as Sunnie2day suggests, tell your cardiac team/GP as a matter of urgency, these will not be aiding your recovery and the vital thing you need right now is rest. Firstly, this kind of thing is pretty normal, not the several hours bit though, its normal to worry then fret and panic about every twinge you get in and around your chest. I know it may sound trite, but you have been in the best possible place, you have had the treatment that the experts think is suitable for you. Try and take some deep breaths in for 10 or so seconds and out for one second longer than you breath in, this will calm your breathing and aid in settling you.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Bell1070

You have had some great advice already.

I live with vasospastic angina and need to go into hospital from time to time. I have had some really bad experiences so I am now very anxious about going into hospital.

I use breathing and relaxation techniques too and these really help me.

I go to yoga classes and have been taught alternate nostril breathing which may help you too.

chopra.com/articles/nadi-sh...

As the others have said get back in touch with the Cardiology team responsible for your care. Ask if they can refer you to a Cardiac psychologist to help you.

[Bagrat]

First thing is to seek advice and. establish this is a panic attack. I used to have "episodes" of uncontrolled shivering and feeling grim that could last a few hours. They started before my heart isssue and around the time of my husbands heart attack. I try to practise mindful meditation and 7 /11 breathing (in for count of 7 out for 11). I was recommended Human Givens counselling and had only 3 sessions before I felt back on an even keel.

[francesw47]

Hi

Panic attacks are very frightening and the impact underestimated. It can take hours to calm down and then you can feel dreadful for a while after you have symptoms under control.

Please talk to your cardiologist/GP about this, but it is also important to find out what lies behind the panic itself.

CBT is probably the best form of talking therapy for this kind of issue - the evidence base for this is impressive. In UK you can ask your GP who your local IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) team is and either ask GP to refer or refer yourself. Its really worth talking to a CBT therapist who will help with the thought processes that underlie the panic, help to deal with unhelpful thoughts, teach you strategies and techniques to help if you feel panic. Its worth giving it a go rather than suffering alone.

[Sunnie2day in reply to francesw47]

CBT works, it takes work but, oh, does it work!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sunnie2day]

Sunnie2day Yes it does work!

I use it to help me with my pain and my anxiety of going into hospital.

Just like exercising your body training your mind takes work too!