The Journal of family practice
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The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of panic states in patients presenting with chest pain in primary care settings, to determine the recognition rate of panic states by family physicians, and to assess the impact of lack of recognition on interventions and costs. ⋯ Although common, panic states are rarely recognized in patients presenting with complaints of chest pain. The presence of panic leads to more testing, follow-up, and referral with subsequent higher costs. Failure to diagnose panic results in increased prescribing of medications, higher costs, and inappropriate pharmacotherapy.