A heart attack is a life-threatening incident caused by a blood supply interruption to the heart. Knowing the female-specific signs of a heart attack may help a person seek medical treatment earlier, saving their lives. Women are less likely than men to survive their first heart attack. This may be because the symptoms vary between the sexes. Women are more likely to suffer a “silent” heart attack or show unusual signs.
Female biology also creates unique risk factors for heart failure. Disorders that increase risk, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), are not found in male biology.
Symptoms Of A Heart Attack In Women
Many people expect a heart attack to happen all of a sudden. Research shows that women experience signs a few weeks before a heart attack.
A 2003 survey of 515 women who suffered had a heart attack found that 80 percent of women had at least 1 symptom at least 4 weeks before their heart attack.
Symptoms may be constant, or they may come and go, and they may even affect sleep.
It is important for a woman who has any of these signs to seek treatment immediately. Heart attacks can be deadly, regardless of whether they are mild or serious.
One Of The Symptoms Of A Possible Heart Attack Are:
1. Lightheadedness, Dizziness, and Other Pain
The gender difference is that women have more shortness of breath and vomiting than men. Women also have more intense pain in the neck, chin, throat, abdominal or back, notes the CDC.
The nerve fibers in your arm and jaw run into the brain together with the heart nerve fibers. So, you may experience pain in those areas because the brain confuses the heart signal, Haythe said.
Breaking out in cold sweat, dizziness, or lightheadedness can also be warning signs, warns the American Heart Association.
2. Chest Pain
Chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom of a heart attack in both males and females. It can be described as:
- Tightness
- Pressure
- Squeezing
- Aching
However, women may experience a heart attack without any chest pain.
Some 29.7% of the women studied in the 2003 study experienced chest pain in the weeks leading up to the attack. Often, 57% had chest pain during a heart attack.
3. Changes In Your Ability To Exercise
One major warning sign is a lower exercise tolerance. You used to be able to walk up the stairs quickly, but now you feel very breathless. You may have to stop halfway and take a rest. You should take that very seriously, warned Haythe.
“I found one of the most helpful questions as a doctor when someone comes in and says they’re breathless, I say, think back. Can you do it earlier this summer or last summer, because you can’t do that now? “Hayes said that.
If so, it might be time for a cardiac evaluation.
4. Extreme Or Unusual Fatigue
Unusual fatigue is often recorded in the weeks leading up to a heart attack. Fatigue is often experienced just before the incident happens. Even simple activities that do not require much effort can lead to feelings of fatigue.
5. Weakness
A typical acute symptom of a female heart attack is feeling weak or shaky. This weakening or shaking can be accompanied by the following:
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Feeling lightheaded
6. Shortness Of Breath
Shortness of breath or heavy breathing without exercise, especially when accompanied by fatigue or chest pain, can indicate heart problems.
Some women can feel short of breath when lying down. And the symptoms may ease when sitting upright.
7. Arm, Back, Neck, Jaw, Abdominal Pain or Discomfort
Heart attack pain can not be confined to the area of the chest. Pain or discomfort in the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach also links to a heart attack.
Yet, many patients do not associate pain with a heart attack in these areas. This may prevent them from receiving urgent medical attention.
Some Symptoms Of A Heart Attack from Head To Toe Include:
- Lightheadedness
- Jaw, neck, or back pain
- Arm or shoulder pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
If you feel sudden discomfort in these areas, seek immediate medical attention.
8. Sweating
Excessive sweating without a normal cause is another common symptom of a heart attack in women.
Feeling cold and clammy can also be a sign of heart problems.
9. Pain In The Upper Body
This is generally non-specific and cannot be linked to a specific muscle or joint in the upper body.
Areas That Could Be Affected Include:
- Neck
- Jaw
- Upper back or either arm
The pain may begin in one place and gradually spread to others, or it may come on suddenly.
10. Sleep Disturbance
Almost half of the women in the 2003 study reported sleep disturbances in the weeks before they had a heart attack.
These Disturbances May Include:
- Difficulty in getting to sleep
- Unusual wake-up all night
- Feeling exhausted despite having enough sleep
11. Stomach Problems
Some women can experience pain or pressure in the stomach before they have a heart attack.
Other Digestive Complications Associated With A Possible Heart Attack Can Include:
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Risk Factors
Risk factors for a heart attack in women include the following:
- Age: People aged 55 years or older are at increased risk of heart disease. This may be because hormones have some protection against heart disease from menopause.
- Family history: Those of a male parent who had a heart attack at 55 years of age or a female relative who had one at 65 years of age are known to have a family history of a heart attack. They are at greater risk.
- Health status: Certain markers, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, raise the risk of heart disease in both males and females.
- Medical conditions: Those with diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune disorders are more likely to have heart attacks. Illnesses such as endometriosis, PCOS, or a history of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy also raise the risk.
- Lifestyle choices: Using cigarettes or stimulant drugs, such as caffeine or amphetamines, sedentary habits, or high levels of stress, increases the risk of a heart attack.
When To See A Doctor
The British Heart Foundation advises that all women above 40 should have daily checks with their doctor. This helps to identify early risk factors so that doctors can handle them. Early intervention decreases the risk of a heart attack.
Anyone who notices the early signs of a heart attack, such as the following, should urgently see the doctor:
- Unusual exhaustion
- Breathing shortness
- Pain in the upper body
Your doctor will notice symptoms, monitor your blood pressure and heart rate, order blood tests. Or he may use an electrocardiogram (EKG) to see your heart’s electrical activity.
The Bottom Line
A heart attack is a severe and possibly fatal medical event requiring emergency treatment. Women tend to have different symptoms of a heart attack than men do. They have additional risk factors, as well.
There are also precautions that women should take to reduce their risk of a heart attack. Awareness of the symptoms of a heart attack, particularly in the days leading up to the event, can also improve outcomes and prevent complications.
