Elevated, Increased, Racing Heart Rate – Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic Attack Symptoms / Elevated, Increased, Racing Heart Rate

During a panic attack, you may notice an elevated, increased or racing heart rate. This symptom is completely harmless and CANNOT cause a heart attack. The reason this happens is because your body is perceiving a threat or danger, even though no real threat is evident. All people will experience a racing heartbeat, when nervous or scared as the body produces stress hormones which are a stimulant to the heart. These hormones cause our heart to beat faster in order to produce oxygen rich blood to all the other body parts. This way, it is better equipped to deal with the imminent threat; either to give us strength to do battle, or to flee from the danger.

While we do not fear a racing heart rate when we we are accurately scared or nervous, we do however become confused when our heart speeds up for “no apparent reason”. This is just another symptom, that is harmless and does not pose any detrimental risks to your health.

As always, I reccomend all new symptoms be discussed with your physician.