Differentiate between Anxiety, Intercostal muscle spasms and Heart attack.

Most people often confuse a heart attack with many chest problems, but most commonly with anxiety symptoms, and strain or cramp of the intercostal muscles on the lower left breast. This confusion is understandable, as these two resemble a heart degree to a good degree.

The only sure way to tell the difference is to see a doctor, who in most cases recommends an ECG ( a form of heart activity screening). However, In some cases, there is not hospital close by , and estimating the differences can keep you prepared for whatever may follow.

Although anxiety, and Intercostal muscle spasms symptoms closely resemble those of a heart attack, there are minor differences:

Anxiety: caused by multiple factors, sending the body to an alarmed state. Prolonged hard/fast breathing, constriction of chest and neck muscles results in pain around the chest and neck. All the symptoms in most cases are present at the same time, since they are interrelated.

Symptoms:

1. pain is localized at single points in the chest area usually towards the sternum (middle chest), towards the outer ribs, and around the breast areas
2. constriction of throat muscles, making it hard to swallow saliva
3. heart races, steadily increases
4. confusion and light headedness- if one is listening to the heart beat him/herself, he may sense that the heart beat is fading, skipping or stopping due to this. In reality the heart is still beating
5. heavy or fast breathing- this causes increase in chest pain and the feeling of light headedness

Intercostal Muscle strain/cramp/spasms: caused by extended constriction of lower chest muscles followed by a sudden extension of the same muscles e.g. bending or leaning forward while seated, followed by sudden straightening motion of the body. Can also be caused by lifting heavy objects, abruptly twisting the body, etc.

Lying flat with hand steched parallel to the body towards the head usually resolves the problem.

symptoms:

1. Severe stabbing pain on the lower left breast, that persists. Usually worsens with attempt to move or straighten the upper body
2. the pain is is localized at one single point and does not spread like a wave
3. pain increases with heavy breathing
4. pain may persist for as little as 5 minutes to an hour or more

Heart attack: Caused by multiple factors related to poor cardiovascular health, trauma e.g. stabbing or heavy blows to the chest, electricity shock, infection, etc. A heart attack in most cases is accompanied by severe pain, followed by extremely serious consequences-within a short range of time

If one is above the age of 50 or has had a heart attack before, or has an infection or experienced a cardio vascular related problem, Please consult the doctor immediately when in doubt.

Symptoms:

1. Mild , severe, gradual or sharp bursts of pain from lower left breast, which spread to other areas of the chest, shoulders and back: that is, in a wave-like or lightning streaks pattern)
2. Inability to breath- usually inability to make short fast breaths or heavy long breaths (causes gasping)
3. irregular heart beats for due to unknown cause- A sudden onset of a racing heart
4. Light headedness- usually accompanied by mild headaches
5. stiffness and numbness of the shoulders and jaw area

IF experiencing any of the heart attack symptoms, call for help ( DIAL 911) or contact the doctor IMMEDIATELY