Women’s heart attacks symptoms can differ from men’s: Know the signs

ByJanetA.Aker

MHS Communications

When you are having a heart attack, minutesmatter Fastactioncansavelives

Heart disease and heart attacks are the number one global killer of both men and women.Butwomenoftenexperiencesymptoms other than the classic crushing chest pain and left arm pain that typically afflict menhavingheartattacks.

For example, women are more likely to experience pain between the shoulder blades,abdominalpain,andnausea.

Insomesituations,afailuretoidentifythe unique symptoms women experience can leadtodelaysinseekingtreatment.

If you’re a woman, here are the most commonheartattacksymptoms:

Chest pain or discomfort This is the most common symptom for both men and women,butsomewomenmayexperiencea sense of squeezing or fullness, and the pain canbeanywhereinthechest,notjustonthe leftside.

Pain in the arm(s), back, neck, or jaw Thistypeofpainismorecommoninwomen than in men. The pain can be gradual or sudden, and it may increase or decrease beforebecomingintense

Stomach pain. This is a signal of a heart attack that is often mistaken for heartburn, indigestionorastomachulcer Othertimes, women experience severe abdominal pressure.Thisiswhereit’sbesttobeonthesafe sideandcall911.

Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness If you’re having trouble breathingfornoapparentreason,youcould be having a heart attack, especially if you’re also having one or more symptoms More women than men experience this aspect of aheartattack.

Cold sweat This is another heart attack symptom more common in women having aheartattack.Itmayfeellikestress-related sweating Fatigue. Some women who have heart attacks feel extremely tired, even if they haven’tmovedmuch Youmayfeelthetirednessinyourchest

How Long Can a Woman Have Symptoms Before a Heart Attack?

Manypeopleexpectaheartattacktocome on suddenly But research suggests that women experience symptoms for several weeks before a heart attack. Doctors say it’s important to encourage women to seek

Should I Take Aspirin

medicalcarewhentheyhavesymptoms

“Despite women have more symptomaticchestpainthanmen,theyarelesslikely to have timely and appropriate care, said Air Force Lt Col (Dr.) Travis Batts, medical director of cardiology at Wilford Hall, LacklandAirForceBase,SanAntonio,Texas. Hepointedtothe2021guidelinesonchest pain.

Also, keep in mind you can have heart problems even a heart attack without chest pain. That’s particularly common amongwomen.

Call

911 Quickly

„ Call 911 immediately if you experience heart attack warning signs Calling 911 is almostalwaysthefastestwaytogetlife-saving treatment and preserve your heart muscleandtissues.

„ Anemergencymedicalservicesteamcan begintreatmentwhentheyarrive uptoan hour sooner than if you get to the hospital by car EMS staff are also trained to revive someonewhosehearthasstopped.

„ Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usuallyreceive faster treatment atthehospital,too

During a Heart Attack?

Medical advice on taking aspirin has changed over the years when it comes to treatinganinitialheartattackorpreventing asubsequentheartattack.

„ Don’t do anything before calling 911. Specifically, don’t take an aspirin then wait forittorelieveyourpain.Aspirinalonewon’t treatyourheartattack.

„ The emergency operator can advise you whether to take aspirin and how much to take

„ If the operator does not suggest aspirin, you may receive the drug in the ambulance oremergencydepartment.

Heart Attacks Can Happen Even if You’re Young and in Good Shape

Younger women are having more heart attacks,accordingtoaNationalHeart,Lung, andBloodInstitutestudyin2019

Researchers were surprised to find that while the heart attack rate has decreased among older adults, it’s risen among those ages 35-54, especially women. The study reviewedmorethan28,000hospitalizations forheartattacksinfourcities

One condition, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or SCAD, causes a small percentage of heart attacks overall, but is responsible for 40% of heart attacks in women younger than age 50, according to 2020researchfromtheAmericanCollegeof Cardiology TheaverageSCADpatientisjust 42yearsoldandislikelyhealthyandactive

The Bottom Line

“As our approach to the diagnosis and management of chest pain syndromes continues to evolve, we must highlight the impact of racial and ethnic disparities on the evaluation of patients with chest pain,” Batts said. “There are disparities in chest pain management in diverse populations thatleadtoworseoutcomes increasedheart attacks andhigherdeathrates.

His bottom line recommendations?

“For both women and men alike, the keys to improving your heart health are simple: Take all symptoms seriously, ask questions about your heart health, and get screened yearlyforheartdiseaseriskfactors.”