Can You Die From a Panic Attack?

If you have ever had a panic attack, you know how scary it can be. The good news is that you can’t die from a panic attack. Let’s take a closer look at what a panic attack is, what you can do if you’re having one, and how to get treatment for panic attacks.

What is a panic attack?

Imagine standing on a crowded bus. Suddenly, your heart begins to race and pound in your chest. Your throat closes, and you start to feel lightheaded. You glance at the door, worried that if you don’t get off the bus, you might lose control. This is a panic attack. 

According to “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition” (DSM-5), a panic attack is a sudden onset of fear with at least four physical and emotional symptoms. Panic attacks begin quickly, and for most people, they go away after 20 to 30 minutes.

Symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Palpitations, pounding heart, or fast heartbeat

• Sweating

• Trembling or shaking

• Feeling breathless

• Feeling of choking

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Nausea or abdominal pain

• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint

• Feeling chilly or hot

• Numbness or tingling 

• Feelings of unreality or being detached from yourself

• Fear of losing control or “going crazy”

• Fear of dying

Panic attacks are common. At least 1 in 3  adults will have a panic attack at some point in their lives. Many people who have a panic attack never have another one. But people who have panic attacks are more likely to have another mental health disorder such as panic disorder or depression.

What causes panic attacks?

No one knows for sure. Researchers think people who get panic attacks may misinterpret cues from the environment or certain bodily sensations as harmful. 

Studies have also found certain risk factors for having panic attacks:

• Being female

• Being younger than 60 years old

• Having a mood disorder, such as depression

• Having an anxiety disorder

• Experiencing a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one

Sometimes panic attacks run in families. So, if you have panic attacks, a parent or sibling might have them, too. 

Are panic attacks dangerous?

You won’t die from a panic attack. But you might feel like you’re dying when you’re having one. That’s because many symptoms of a panic attack, like chest pain, are similar to those experienced with serious medical conditions, like a heart attack. 

Sometimes you might not be able to tell the difference between the symptoms of a panic attack and another condition. If that’s the case, seek immediate medical attention. But knowing your panic attack triggers and any medical conditions that you might have can help you tell the difference between a panic attack and an acute medical problem. 

Some medical conditions are more common in people who have panic attacks than in people who don’t. One reason for this is that panic attacks and certain medical conditions share risk factors. For example, exposure to a stressful life event is a risk factor for developing panic attacks and certain heart conditions. 

Here are some medical conditions that are common in people who have panic attacks:

• Asthma

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)

• Diabetes

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Coronary heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Strokes

For most people, one or two panic attacks at some point in life won’t cause long-term issues. But repeated panic attacks can contribute to physical problems, such as sleep disturbances or heart conditions.

They can also stop you from doing things that you normally do, like running errands. Maybe you worry about having a panic attack in public, so you stay home as much as possible. If this is the case, you might have panic disorder. It’s diagnosed in people who have repeated, uncontrolled panic attacks and avoid situations where they fear they will have another one. 

What can you do to stop a panic attack?

When you feel a panic attack coming on, you probably feel like you’re losing control. But there are things you can do in the moment to regain control of your body and emotions. 

Here are a few things you can try to calm down from a panic attack:

• Remove yourself from the situation that’s causing your panic attack.

• Close your eyes and picture yourself in a calm, safe space. 

• Focus your attention on your five senses. Notice what you smell, feel, see, hear, and taste.

• Take slow, deep breaths.

• Count to 10 slowly. Repeat, and count to 20 if necessary.

How can you get help if you’re having repeated panic attacks?

If you’re having repeated panic attacks, tell a healthcare provider or a mental health professional. Unfortunately, many people don’t tell their provider about their attacks and suffer needlessly. There are treatments that can help you feel better. 

If you don’t have a psychiatrist or therapist, a healthcare provider might recommend that you see one. A therapist will talk with you about your symptoms to help you better understand and manage them. 

Common therapies for panic attacks include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. In CBT, a therapist will help you manage your anxiety by slowly confronting your triggers in a safe and supportive setting. In supportive and psychodynamic therapies, you might explore the sources of your stress or triggers and identify better ways of coping.

If your symptoms are severe, your provider might also recommend that you try an anti-anxiety medication. Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications help by decreasing both the physical sensations and emotional reactions you experience during a panic attack. Some people take an anti-anxiety medication and participate in therapy at the same time. 

If you’re already seeing a provider for a mental health disorder or medical condition, don’t assume that they know about your panic attacks. Panic attacks often go undetected even if you have a condition that they’re commonly seen with. Talk to your healthcare provider about all of your symptoms.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Tracy Asamoah, MD

Tracy Asamoah, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, writer, and physician coach in private practice in Austin, Texas. She completed medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, and both her general psychiatry residency and child and adolescent fellowship at the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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