How Are The Symptoms Of Heart Attack Different In Women? Six Major Signs

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A major problem in diagnosing women with heart disease is the lack of recognition of symptoms that may be related to the disease or that are not classified as classic heart symptoms.

In contrast to men, women can develop symptoms that are often more subtle and harder to detect as heart attacks, especially if the physician is only focused on the "usual" heart attack symptoms.

When a heart attack strikes, it does not always feel the same for women as it does for men [1].

How Are The Symptoms Of A Heart Attack Different In Women?

It is important to be aware that women may not experience the same classic heart attack symptoms as men, such as crushing chest pain that radiates down one arm. While women might experience those classic symptoms, they may also experience vague or even "silent" symptoms [2][3].

These six heart attack symptoms are common in women:

• Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, but some women may experience it differently. It may feel like a tightening or pressing, and it can occur anywhere in the chest, not just on the left.
• Symptoms of arm pain, back pain, neck pain, or jaw pain are more common in women than in men. This type of pain may confuse women who anticipate pain in their chest and left arm, rather than back pain or jaw pain. In addition to being gradual or sudden, the pain may wax and wane before becoming intense. If you are asleep, you might be woken up as a result.
• People often confuse stomach pain that signals the onset of a heart attack with heartburn, the flu, or stomach ulcers. Other women may experience severe abdominal pressure which could be a sign of a heart attack.

• Having trouble breathing for no apparent reason, especially if you are experiencing one or more other symptoms, may indicate a heart attack.
• Women experiencing a heart attack may break out in a cold sweat which appears more like stress-related sweating than perspiration caused by exercising or spending time outside.
• It is common for women who have had heart attacks to feel extremely fatigued, even if they have sat still for some time or have not moved much.

Heart Attack Risk Factors For Women

There are a number of risk factors that are particularly relevant to women or that can affect women disproportionately, including the following [4][5]:

• Prior to menopause, testosterone levels are relatively high
• During menopause, hypertension increases
• The prevalence of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, is greater among women than among men
• The prevalence of stress and depression is also higher among women
• Having a low awareness of risk factors for heart disease is itself a risk factor

On A Final Note...

There is no guarantee that you will experience all of these symptoms. If you are experiencing chest discomfort, especially if you are experiencing one or more of the other symptoms, seek medical attention right away.

To reduce cardiovascular risk in women, the first step is to become familiar with the factors and symptoms that are unique to women. The second step is to take action and practice daily behaviours that reduce the risk factors you can control.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.