Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear, worry, and discomfort. The symptoms can be debilitating for many people. It is common for first time panic attack victims to be rushed to an emergency room believing they are having a heart attack or stroke. Studies show there are more than six million people in the United States who are prone to anxiety and panic attacks. They are sometimes isolated events tied to things such as phobias and trauma but may also be part of a re-occurring pattern of panic attacks leading to panic disorder.
The study suggests a link between panic attacks in older women and serious heart problems that may develop later on. Specifically, the women in the study who had reported a full-blown panic attack during a 6 month period had four times the risk for heart attack, three times the risk for heart attack or stroke, and twice the risk to die from other causes than women who didn’t suffer from panic attacks.
The researchers took into account other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, alcohol consumption, body mass index, inactivity, depression, and history of diabetes and still found that panic attacks raised risk. That doesn’t however rule out other causes that may lead to both panic attacks and heart disease.
The study further concluded that panic attacks are relatively common among postmenopausal women and appear to be an independent risk factor for heart disease and death. If true, panic attacks can be added to a growing list of other mental health issues, such as depression, hostility, and anxiety, already linked by medical research to heart problems and cardiovascular disease. It has long been known that panic attacks and panic disorder are more prevalent in women than in men.
The study is hardly conclusive however. In fact, the sample of women tested was relatively small – 3369 women aged 51-83 years old. Much broader research is needed to solidify these statistics and clarify the connection.
However, it is definitely an area of research for panic sufferers, especially women, to keep a close eye on. And most importantly, older women who experience panic attacks need to discuss this matter in detail with their doctor.
