Rapid Heart Rate During Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Physiological Mechanism

Anxiety/panic attacks trigger sympathetic “fight-or-flight” activation, releasing adrenaline and noradrenaline. These catecholamines directly stimulate cardiac pacemakers, increase conduction velocity, enhance contractility, and cause peripheral vasodilation—reducing vascular resistance and increasing venous return. The combined effect produces tachycardia (rapid heart rate) as the body prepares for perceived threat.

While adaptive acutely, recurrent episodes warrant clinical evaluation for management strategies.