Certain medical conditions that are unrelated to cardiovascular health can produce symptoms that are similar to those of a heart attack.
If you develop symptoms, do not wait to seek treatment because if you are experiencing a cardiac event, the sooner it is recognized and treated, the less likely you will be to sustain heart muscle damage. Here are some medical conditions that may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack.
Hyperthyroidism
If you have an overactive thyroid gland, also known as hyperthyroidism, you might experience chest pain, shortness of breath, profuse sweating, and anxiety. These symptoms are some of the same symptoms that heart attack victims experience, so at the first sign, go to the Emergency Room. There, staff will check your blood pressure and give you an electrocardiogram test to evaluate your cardiovascular function.
If you are having a heart attack, the electrocardiogram will be abnormal. You may also be given a cardiac enzyme blood test. If your cardiac enzymes are elevated, it may mean that you are having a heart attack because once the heart muscle is damaged as a result of a cardiac event, certain enzymes are released into the bloodstream.
Panic Disorder
If you are prone to panic attacks, then you know how disabling the symptoms can be. They seem to come out of nowhere and may include numbness and tingling sensations of the face and arms, trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, and lightheadedness.
You may even believe that you are having a heart attack, but if you’ve had panic attacks before, then you probably know that you’re not. To be sure, go to the nearest Emergency Room for a checkup. After you’ve been stabilized by medical and mental health professionals, follow up with your primary care doctor.
Be Safe, Not Sorry
If you believe that you may be experiencing a heart attack, or are having signs indicative of one, go to the Emergency Room immediately. Do not go to an urgent care facility.