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