A single anxiety or panic attack usually peaks within about 10 minutes and fades within 20 to 30 minutes, though some people feel shaky, tired or on edge for hours afterward. Several attacks can come in waves. Symptoms that keep building, last much longer, or include chest pressure spreading to the arm or jaw should be treated as a possible heart emergency.
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Board-certified cardiologist · Katy & Sugar Land, TX
Fellowship-trained in cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, echocardiography and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. Former Assistant Professor of Cardiology at McGovern Medical School.
How long does an anxiety attack last?
People use “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” interchangeably, but there is a difference. A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear with physical symptoms. According to MedlinePlus, panic attacks often peak within about 10 minutes. Anxiety more broadly can build gradually and last for hours or days around a stressful situation.
| Type | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Panic attack (peak) | Builds and peaks within about 10 minutes |
| Panic attack (whole episode) | Usually eases within 20 to 30 minutes; rarely longer than an hour |
| After-effects | Fatigue, shakiness, soreness or worry for hours |
| Generalized anxiety | Can persist for hours or days with ups and downs |
| Repeated waves | Several attacks close together can feel like one long attack |
Common anxiety attack symptoms
- Racing or pounding heartbeat and palpitations.
- Chest pain or tightness.
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of choking.
- Sweating, trembling or shaking.
- Nausea or stomach upset.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or feeling faint.
- Numbness or tingling, often in the hands or around the mouth.
- Chills or hot flashes.
- A sense of unreality, losing control or impending doom.
Many of these overlap with heart problems, which is why the next section matters.
Anxiety attack or heart attack?
Heart attack symptoms tend to persist or worsen beyond a few minutes rather than peaking and fading, often feel like pressure rather than sharp pain, may spread to the arm, jaw, neck or back, and can come with cold sweat and nausea. Panic attacks often start during or after stress and include tingling and intense fear. But the overlap is real, and people with anxiety can also have heart disease. Read can anxiety cause chest pain and palpitations? for a detailed comparison.
A first-ever attack, symptoms that differ from your usual pattern, or chest pain in someone with heart risk factors should be evaluated.
- Chest pressure or pain lasting more than a few minutes or getting worse
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back
- Fainting, severe breathlessness or a cold sweat
- Facial drooping, one-sided weakness or slurred speech
- A very fast or irregular heartbeat that does not slow with rest
What to do during an anxiety attack
- Remind yourself the peak usually passes within minutes.
- Slow your breathing: in through the nose for about 4 seconds, out through pursed lips for about 6 seconds.
- Ground yourself by naming things you can see, hear and touch.
- Relax your shoulders and unclench your jaw.
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol afterward.
- If symptoms keep building, feel different from usual, or include warning signs below, call 911.
Reducing how often attacks happen
Recurrent panic attacks are treatable. NIMH notes that cognitive behavioral therapy and medicines are effective for anxiety and panic disorders. Regular exercise, consistent sleep and limiting stimulants also help. If palpitations are a major trigger, a cardiology evaluation that confirms a healthy heart can reduce health-related fear. Read what heart palpitations feel like.
When a heart evaluation helps
Consider seeing a cardiologist if attacks include chest pain or palpitations and you have never had a heart workup, if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, or if episodes start and stop abruptly like a switch. That last pattern can point to SVT, a rhythm problem that can be mistaken for panic. Testing may include an EKG, an event monitor and an echocardiogram.
Heart evaluation for palpitations and chest pain in Katy and Sugar Land
If you are not sure whether your episodes are anxiety or a heart problem, Advanced Cardiology can help sort it out. Dr. Khalid sees patients at our Katy and Sugar Land offices, with EKG and echocardiogram testing in the office and heart rhythm monitors to capture episodes. See our heart palpitations page.
Katy office: 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494
Sugar Land office: 7102 Tarrington Ave, Suite 505, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Phone: (713) 258-6111
We also see patients from Fulshear, Richmond, Rosenberg, Stafford, Missouri City and west Houston.
Episodes that start and stop like a switch?
That pattern can be a heart rhythm problem rather than panic. Request a cardiology visit in Katy or Sugar Land.
Having symptoms right now? Call 911. Do not wait for an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
How long can an anxiety attack last?
Panic attacks usually peak within about 10 minutes and ease within 20 to 30 minutes. Aftereffects such as fatigue can last hours, and general anxiety can persist longer.
Can an anxiety attack last for hours?
A single panic attack rarely lasts more than an hour, but several attacks in a row or ongoing anxiety can feel like hours. Symptoms that keep building should be evaluated.
How do I know if it is a panic attack or a heart attack?
Panic attacks usually peak and fade within minutes, with tingling and intense fear. Heart attack symptoms persist or worsen and often include pressure, sweating and pain spreading to the arm or jaw. When in doubt, call 911.
Can anxiety attacks damage your heart?
A panic attack does not usually damage a healthy heart. Chronic stress and anxiety, however, are linked with higher blood pressure and heart disease risk over time.
What helps an anxiety attack go away faster?
Slow breathing, grounding techniques, relaxing tense muscles and reminding yourself the peak will pass can help. Long-term, therapy and sometimes medication reduce attacks.
Should I see a cardiologist for panic attacks?
Consider it if attacks include chest pain or palpitations and your heart has never been checked, if you have heart risk factors, or if episodes start and stop abruptly.
Trusted health resources
- Panic Disorder, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Anxiety Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)
- Anxiety, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Heart Attack: Symptoms, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH)
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general education and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from your own doctor. If you think you may be having a heart attack, stroke or another emergency, call 911 right away.
