i am 21 yr old female, and suffer from anxiety etc.
i have experienced panic attacks before (tightness in chest, shallow breathing, sweating, shaking, pain in lower half, arms etc, i actually thought i was experiencing a heart attack or some other medical condition, as i had been partying for last 3 days before it occured), and the only option you have is to pretty much wait til it passes.
when i begin feeling pain in my chest, although i know i am conciously not anxious, my subconcious anxiety can arise. so i simply breathe slowly, concentrating on my breathing, and sitting still. other things that also can help are breathing excercises, when you're not anxious.
before i sleep, i take deep breaths, 10 at a time, with short breaks. this way, wehn a panic attack arises, your body and mind are subconciously trained and 'ready' to begin breathing and relaxing your mucles, thus 'surviving' the panic attack.
if your panic attacks, however, are lasting longer than a few minutes, it may be a good idea to head to the ER, just to be sure its not something like muscular-skeletal pain etc. there is also medication that can help treat anxiety, therefore, lessening your attacks.
also, make sure you consider pilates or meditation a few times a week, this can train your mind, body and soul (including your subconcioius) to be relaxed most of the time, and you will feel your anxiety less!
hope this helped.