People who suffer from panic attacks are at much higher risk of heart disease, according to new Australian research.

The analysis, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, found individuals with panic disorder are up to 36 percent more likely to have a heart attack and face a 47 percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life, Medical News Today reports.

Panic disorder strikes about 6 million adults in the U.S., with women twice as likely to develop the condition as men. Individuals with panic disorder experience sudden feelings of intense fear and loss of control, as well as such physical symptoms as sweating, breathing problems, dizziness, racing heart, hot or cold chills, chest pain, and stomach pain.

"The link between panic disorders and heart disease remains controversial, partly due to overlapping symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath," noted lead researcher Gary Wittert of the University of Adelaide's School of Medicine in Australia.

For the study, Wittert and his colleagues reviewed 12 studies involving more than 1 million men and women, of whom 58,111 had coronary heart disease.

The researchers say their analysis identified a clear link between panic disorder and heart disease, but noted the exact mechanism underlying this association remains unclear.