Find your heart rate in seconds.
A panic attack:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, doesn't mention "anxiety attacks" specifically. The definition of an anxiety attack is somewhat informal and someone may say they are having an anxiety attack when what they are experiencing would be better described as a panic attack.
When you experience intense anxiety there may be accompanying physical symptoms. Some people may describe these as an anxiety attack. These include:
There are some similarities between a panic attack and an anxiety attack. However anxiety is often triggered by certain stressors and may come on gradually. Panic attacks, on the other hand, can occur unexpectedly and without warning.
Both panic and anxiety may involve:
In a panic attack, the feelings and sensations are far more intense. You may genuinely believe you are about to die.
The experience of a panic attack can feel similar to other actually dangerous conditions, such as heart disease. This can lead people to seek out medical assistance.
Anxiety generally does not peak and subside as a panic attack does. Some people with anxiety can progress to having panic attacks.
Yes, a panic attack can be a symptom of anxiety.
It is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you have not been engaged in any activity for some time. It's the rate of you're heart when reading, sitting on the couch watching television, or eating a meal.
Resting heart rate contrasts with your heart rate during activity or exercise. It's important to not confuse the two measurements.
Normally you'd have to count your heart beats for an entire minute, or for 30 seconds and multiply by 2, or 15 seconds and mupltiply by 4, etc. The heart rate counter on this page will do the calculations for you and give you your average heartbeat in just a few seconds.
Measure your heart rate after you've been inactive for a significant amount of time. 15-30 minutes should be sufficient.
Many locations around the body where blood flow is palpable can serve as locations to check your pulse. Most commonly you can easily feel your pulse with your finger on the thumb side of your wrist. You can also put 2 fingers on the side of your neck, next to your windpipe.
Not everyone's pulse is the same. Heart rate varies from person to person. Tracking your own heart rate can give you valuable information about your heart health, and even more importantly, changes in your heart health.
What is deemed a healthy or unhealthy resting heart rate includes several factors, most notably, if you are male or female, and your age. The visualizer on this page will let you select your sex and age range to show you the spectrum of heart rate ranges for you.
Here is a more complete of factors that can affect your heart rate:
The "normal" resting heart rate for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM).
Generally speaking, the lower your resting heart rate, the more efficiently your heart is working and is an indicator of your fitness.
A long distance runner, for example, might have a resting heart rate around 40 beats per minute.
A "normal" resting heart rate is not an indication of "normal" blood pressure. Your blood pressure needs to be measured separately and directly.
This site is intended to help the average person with a casual interest in their heart rate. It is not intended as a medical diagnosis tool. It is not a professional peer-reviewed medical product. It is not intended to replace medical doctors or consultations with certified professionals. If you are having medical concerns, a medical crisis, feel sick, are having any other medical issues, please consult a licensed professional.