Signs of a Female Heart Attack

by Joanna

It’s highly documented that men and women are by nature very different creatures. As John Gray, PhD so famously put it: “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”. 

While Dr. Gray focused on the way men and women perceive relationships, his statement rings true in a number of areas.  Did you know that men and women may even differ in symptoms of a heart attack?

We all know the signs to look for with the typical heart attack: 

  • Pain, discomfort, pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest.
  • The pain may spread down the left shoulder and arm and to other areas, such as the back, jaw, neck, or right arm. 

However, new studies are showing that women may experience different symptoms than men during a heart attack.  In a study done by Circulation journal, common female heart attack symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness
  • Unusual fatigue 
  • Nausea 
  • Dizziness 
  • Lower chest discomfort 
  • Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort that may feel like indigestion 
  • Back pain

In fact, Circulation found that during a heart attack, 43% of the 515 women studied had no "acute chest pain, a tell tale sign traditionally associated with heart attacks.  Many women have misdiagnosed heart attacks and are discharged from the emergency room as having a gastrointestinal illness.
If you think you are experiencing a heart attack, call 911 right away.  Waiting too long or waiting to see if it will pass can cause long term damage and may even be fatal!

Coronary artery disease is a major risk factor for heart attacks. Here's how to reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attack:

  • Quit smoking
  • Lower your blood pressure
  • Control diabetes
  • Improve your cholesterol
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat right
  • Reduce stress

Don’t wait until you HAVE to do something to reduce your risk for a heart attack.   Start preventing it now!

 


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