I want to share my experience of mistaking a heart attack for an anxiety attack. The day before my heart attack, I experienced eight symptoms but dismissed them as an anxiety attack. I was too busy and didn’t think I had time to deal with a major health issue.
It was a Thursday, and I was the spotlight speaker at a networking group. I started preparing at 6:30 am and noticed that my fingers and toes were icy cold, and I felt a chill from head to toe. Despite feeling tired and not sleeping well, I attributed it to various reasons like a full moon, a poor dinner choice, or sleep apnea.
I felt winded from the effort as I packed up my hand-outs and props. I felt lightheaded when I arrived at the lunch meeting and noticed my mouth was dry. During my presentation, I started feeling short of breath, and my heart began pounding. I thought it was because I was holding my breath and tried to appear composed.
After my presentation, I started feeling dizzy and broke out in a sweat. Despite feeling unwell, I insisted that I was fine and made excuses for my symptoms. It wasn’t until the next day when I was admitted to the ER and received medical treatment that I realized I had a heart attack, not an anxiety attack.
Looking back, I wish I had recognized the symptoms and sought help immediately. It’s important to be aware that anxiety attack symptoms can mimic those of a heart attack, and it’s crucial to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.