Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Women
The characteristics of chest pain can vary, and women may experience it less intensely than men. This difference in the severity of chest pain, and its sometimes mild nature in women, can lead to delayed diagnosis of heart attacks. Recent research indicates that both women experiencing heart attacks and healthcare providers may have difficulty recognizing these symptoms. It has been reported that approximately half of women with heart attacks had their symptoms overlooked by physicians. It is crucial for women to seek medical attention promptly if they experience one or more symptoms associated with a heart attack, particularly if they have one or more risk factors that increase their likelihood of experiencing this life-threatening condition. Below are some of the most common symptoms associated with heart attacks in women:
- Discomfort or pain in the chest: Women may experience differently than men, often describing a sensation of tightness or fullness anywhere in the chest area, rather than primarily on the left side, as commonly seen with male heart attack patients.
- Fatigue and general weakness: Many women who have suffered a heart attack report experiencing unusual fatigue, finding even simple, daily activities challenging and exhausting, regardless of physical exertion.
- Shortness of breath: Women may feel an inability to breathe effectively, often without a clear explanation. This can manifest as shallow, undeep breathing, akin to the experience of running a race.
- Abdominal pain: A woman experiencing a heart attack may feel significant pressure in the stomach area, often describing it as having a heavy weight resting on them. This sensation may resemble heartburn or ulcers, leading both women and healthcare professionals to not overlook the possibility of a heart attack.
- Sweating and anxiety: The sweating associated with a heart attack in women is typically cold and resembles perspiration due to anxiety, unlike sweat produced by physical exertion or rising temperatures. This cold sweat may occur alongside feelings of agitation or anxiety without a clear cause.
- Pain in the jaw, neck, or back: These pain locations are less common in men but should not be dismissed when occurring in women. The pain could start as mild discomfort that escalates, sometimes even waking them from sleep, or it may come and go with varying intensity.
- Pain in one or both arms: Chest pain in a heart attack is not restricted to the left side; it may also affect one or both arms.
- Other symptoms: This may include nausea, dizziness, headaches, visual disturbances, or changes in eyesight.
Risk Factors for Heart Attacks
It is important to pay attention to the factors and indicators that may increase the likelihood of heart attacks, as they can aid in prevention and response strategies. Some of the significant risk factors for heart attacks in women include:
- A history of cardiovascular diseases.
- A family history of heart disease.
- Obesity or being overweight, characterized by a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher.
- Increasing age, particularly women over 50.
- Diabetes or chronic hypertension.
- Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke.
- A sedentary lifestyle with a lack of regular physical activity.
- Elevated cholesterol and fat levels in the blood.
- Surgical removal of the uterus.
- Conditions like broken heart syndrome or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
- An unhealthy diet high in saturated and trans fats.
- Complications during pregnancy.
- Menopause.
- Mental health issues, including depression.
- Previous radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
- Use of chemotherapy in cancer treatment.
Video on Managing Heart Attack Patients
Watch this video to learn more about how to manage a patient who has suffered a heart attack: