anxiety – Costco Benefits

Video: Heart attack or panic attack?

Have you ever felt short of breath or your heart race? Both can be scary. You may have wondered if it was a heart attack or a panic attack. It can be hard to tell the difference. In this video, we’ll help you understand what’s happening and what to do.

Show transcript

[♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Narrator: Have you ever had moments where your heart is pounding, you can’t catch your breath, you’re nauseous, maybe even light-headed, you’re scared, and you wonder, am I having a heart attack or a panic attack?

What’s the difference? It can be hard to tell, because the symptoms are very similar, and while a panic attack might make you feel like you’re having a heart attack, an actual heart attack is a medical emergency that needs immediate intervention.

So let’s take a close look at the differences, starting with how they feel.

Between the two, the chest pain feels very different.

During a panic attack, the chest pain is usually sharp or stabbing and localized in the middle of the chest. Panic attacks come on quickly, and generally reach peak intensity in about 10 minutes. Symptoms include dizziness, trembling, sweating and a sense of losing control. But the hallmark is usually intense fear.

During a heart attack, the chest pain can be sudden and intense, or start slowly, with a mild pain or pressure that radiates to the arm, jaw or back, and gradually worsens. These episodes might come and go several times before the actual heart attack occurs.

A panic attack triggers what’s known as the fight or flight response, which is our body’s natural response to a perceived threat. When that happens, adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, causing a cascade of physiological changes, including a temporary rise in blood pressure.

A heart attack happens when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off, usually by a blockage of the coronary arteries.

Calling 911 and getting immediate treatment is critical.

Without prompt treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious complications, including permanent damage to the heart muscle, or even death.

You may wonder if a panic attack can cause a heart attack. In a word, no. A panic attack will not cause a heart attack.

Heart attacks are caused by a blockage in the blood vessels to the heart, but long-term stress and anxiety may play a role in the development of coronary artery disease.

Regardless of whether you suspect a panic attack or heart attack, doctors and psychologists agree: If you are feeling chest pain or pressure, you shouldn’t take any chances.

Call 911.

It is important to seek immediate medical attention. If you have questions about panic attacks versus heart attacks, I’d love to hear from you. Comment below, hit subscribe and join me here next time for answers you can trust.

  This program is not intended to be a medical service. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you heard in this program. If you have a medical emergency, go to the emergency room of your local hospital or call 911 immediately.

 [♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

2 MIN READ

JULY 2025

How to know if you need help

Some people turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with challenging situations and feelings. This is known as self-medicating. Undiagnosed conditions such as ADHD — or even something as common as stress — can also lead to self-medicating. But substance use only makes you feel better for a little while. And it might make things such as anxiety and depression worse in the long run. There are more effective ways to cope.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

How are you really doing? This might seem like a simple question, but sometimes it’s hard to see things clearly. Take this short quiz to find out. If you answer “yes” to three or more of the questions below, there are Costco benefits and resources that can help. You can also take this quiz on behalf of someone you know.

Have you:¹

Thought parties or social gatherings were only fun when drugs or alcohol were involved?

Had friends, families or coworkers express concern over your substance use?

Regularly chosen to spend more time with friends you drink or do drugs with?

Drink or use substances alone regularly, such as for help falling asleep?

Planned your schedule around getting drunk or high?

Told yourself that only drinking or using substances after work or on weekends means you don’t have a problem?

Noticed people have stopped inviting you to events where there may be substances?

Found it hard to not binge while using substances?

Hidden things such as empty alcohol or pill bottles from certain people?

Started to avoid or distrust people who ask you to use substances less often?

Woken up after using substances with no memory of what happened the night before more than once in the last six months?

Gained or lost weight because you’re using substances more often?

Source(s):

¹Aetna Better Health, Substance abuse

How to get help if you need it

Drugs and alcohol aren’t the only things people can become addicted to. It might be food, vaping, shopping, social media, gaming or others. Much like managing a chronic health condition, managing these habits is a lifelong process. But it’s not something you have to do alone.

Here are a few of the resources you can turn to for help:

Live Healthy Team*

Navigate your behavioral health resources and find treatment programs that fit your needs.
Connect with a registered dietitian for guidance on nutrition and weight management, including specific meal plans to help you reach your goals.

To learn more about how the Live Healthy Team can help employees on the Costco medical plan with Aetna, listen to our podcast featuring Live Healthy Team Case Manager Patsy Delgado. For employees who aren’t enrolled in the Costco medical plan, see the resources below for help with emotional health and substance use.

Cylinder for gut health**

Did you know that gut health and mental health are connected? Poor gut health can cause inflammation in your body, which can lead to depression, anxiety and even brain fog. Get a free gut microbiome test with Cylinder and work with a gut expert to help identify triggers and relieve symptoms.

Resources for Living® (RFL®)

Get 6 free counseling sessions per person, per issue, per year, for you and your household members, and your dependent children up to age 26 living away from home. RFL can also connect you with benefits available to you that can help with substance use and mental health.
Use the Alma virtual mental health platform** to find the therapist who’s right for you. Search by specialty, availability, language and more, then schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Get well-being coaching to help you work toward your goals. These can include professional or personal goals.

RFL Financial services

Get free 30-minute consultations on topics like credit and debt issues, budgeting, mortgages, refinancing and financial planning.

*Available to mainland employees enrolled in a Costco medical plan.

**Available to mainland and Hawaii employees enrolled in a Costco medical plan.

3 MIN WATCH

Video: Heart attack or panic attack?