The reaction has confused researchers as it limits the bodies' ability to deal with extreme pressure, seemingly the opposite to the ‘fight or flight’ response.

However, new research shows that the parts of the brain which register fear and suffocation are linked.

Scientists believe that a ‘short circuiting’ in the area is what causes trouble breathing during a panic attack.

The study, by researchers at the University of Iowa and published in the journal Cell, suggests that humans evolved to register fear when they are being suffocated.

"Because oxygen-breathing organisms are under a constant threat of (suffocation), it could be argued that the threat of suffocation has had a primary influence on shaping the brain's defensive systems," said Stephen Marin of the University of Michigan.

“In some regards, this is not surprising.

"In the grasp of a predator, suffocation is the ultimate fear—it signals imminent death."

But problems in that signal can trigger the suitation where a sufferer starts struggling to breathe during a panic attack.

The researchers hope that the findings could possibly lead to drugs which target the area of the brain which causes the reaction.