Do you need to know what are the symptoms of a anxiety attack?  If you or anyone close to you suffers from anxiety attacks, it is important that you  understand the symptoms of a anxiety attack so that you will know what to do and what to expect from this condition.

Not A Heart Attack

There are many symptoms of a anxiety attack, some of these symptoms resemble the signs of a heart attack, and it is important that you do not mix them up.  Many people who are having an anxiety attack may mistake their symptoms for a heart attack and this can make the experience very frightening.  A panic attack may share some symptoms with a heart attack but the panic attack does not place the person in any medical danger unlike the heart attack.

Physical And Psychological Symptoms

When you suffer a anxiety attack, symptoms of the conditions that appear can be roughly categorized into physical and psychological symptoms.  The anxiety attack has stages that will each in turn affect the symptoms that follow that stage.  If you understand these stages, you will gain a greater understanding of the symptoms of a anxiety attack.

Fear Sets In Suddenly

The first stage is when the sudden fear sets in.  Although a person may know what sets off some panic attacks some anxiety attacks may not even have an obvious trigger yet an intense and sudden fear is presents itself.

Flight Or Fight

In the condition of this great fear, the body releases a surge of adrenalin that will activate the flight or fight response.  At this point, the person will begin to experience a rapid heartbeat and breathing.  This escalates into sweating and possible hyperventilation that can worsen the symptoms.

Hyperventilation Can Worsen Things

Unless the episode of hyperventilation is accompanied by physical exertion, the carbon dioxide levels in the lungs will begin to decrease which then affects the levels of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.  When the carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream are lowered then further symptoms are produced which contribute to the sufferer's fear.

Faintness, dizziness, burning or tingling sensations in the arms can result from the hyperventilation.  It is no wonder that some sufferers from symptoms of a anxiety attack can feel like they are dying from a heart attack or other condition.  Vasoconstriction means that the blood to the head is reduced and this is what happens next and results in a worsening feeling of faintness.  At this point if the sufferer tries to take deep breaths, it can further reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in the body, which can make person’s fears increase. 

The symptoms of an anxiety attack can frighten the sufferer and anybody who witnesses such an attack.  Knowing the symptoms and general pattern of anxiety attacks will give you a greater understanding of this condition.