Panic attacks are sudden episodes of fear and anxiety that usually last for between 10 and 30 minutes and cause symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, heavy perspiration and shortness of breath. Although panic attacks are usually medically harmless, they can be extremely frightening, and often feel like a heart attack. Therefore, many people seek emergency medical care for their symptoms.

The exact cause of panic attacks is not understood, although stress, various biochemical factors and heredity are all believed to contribute to attacks. In some cases, panic attacks may be the result of an associated mental condition or disorder. For instance, anxiety disorders, such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, can cause panic attacks.