Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced. In recent years, women have been just as susceptible to heart attacks as men, though the symptoms often present differently between the two.
In this blog post, let’s explore the different heart attack symptoms in women and how they differ from men!
What Are the Early Warning Signs of a Heart Attack in Women?
Early warning signs of a heart attack in women include
- Chest discomfort in the centre of the chest
- Discomfort and pain in other areas of the upper body, including arms, between the shoulder blades, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual fatigue
- Breaking out in a cold sweat without physical exertion
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Nausea or vomiting
These symptoms may occur days or weeks before a heart attack and are often mistaken for ingestion and other medical conditions. If you notice these symptoms, it is preferable to seek medical advice.
Read Also:- Chest Discomfort After Bypass Surgery
Common Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
The common symptoms of a possible heart attack in women are
- Chest pain appearing as tightness, pressure, squeezing, or aching
- Extreme or unusual fatigue
- Weakness or shaking accompanied by anxiety, dizziness, and fainting
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Excessive sweating without a typical cause
- Upper body pain
- Sleep disturbances
- Stomach problems
Read Also:- Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
Atypical Symptoms That Women Often Overlook
Women are more likely to experience heart attacks without the classic chest pain. Some atypical symptoms that may also signal an underlying cardiac issue are
- Cold sweats: You may experience cold sweats for no apparent reason, which indicates poor circulation due to clogged arteries.
- Paleness or clammy skin: Some women may experience paleness or clammy skin if experiencing a heart attack.
- Back, shoulder, arm, or jaw pain: Few women may experience pain in the jaw or between their shoulder blades during a heart attack.
- Unexplained anxiety: Women may experience a sense of anxiety that she is having a heart attack without obvious chest pains.
Differences Between Heart Attack Symptoms in Men vs Women
Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack in men and women. But women may experience some symptoms that may be unrelated to a heart attack, including nausea and pain in the neck or back.
Women may experience these atypical symptoms more noticeably than chest pain.
- Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper stomach pain
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Unusual fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in one or both arms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Heartburn or indigestion
Also, women tend to have symptoms when resting or asleep. Unlike men, women are more likely to have a heart attack with no severe blockage in an artery and may have blockages not only in their main arteries but also in the smaller arteries.
| Symptom | Men | Women |
| Chest pain | Common and intense pressure or squeezing in the chest | May be mild described as discomfort, fullness or pressure |
| Radiating pain | Often to the chest, arms, neck, or jaw | May radiate to the neck, jaw, back, between the shoulder blade, or right arm |
| Nausea/vomiting | Less common | More common |
| Fatigue, indigestion, and cold sweat | Less common | More common |
| Anxiety and feelings of depression | Rare | More likely |
| Silent heart attacks | Less common | More common |
Table: Comparison of heart attack symptoms between men and women
Risk Factors for Heart Attack in Women
The risk factors for a heart attack in women include:
- Women who are over 55 years old are at greater risk of a heart attack
- Family history of heart disease
- Women with underlying conditions, including diabetes, obesity and autoimmune disorders.
- Women with endometriosis, PCOS, or a history of preeclampsia
- Pregnancy complications, including high blood pressure or diabetes
- Menopause with low levels of estrogen may increase the risk of developing small-vessel heart disease
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Emotional stress and depression may make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle
What to Do if You Experience Heart Attack Symptoms in Women?
Early medical treatment is essential to save the person having a heart attack and limit the amount of damage to the heart. If you experience any of the symptoms associated with a heart attack:
- Call for an ambulance and seek immediate medical attention
- Sit down and stay calm
- Chew about 300mg of aspirin if you have it and are not allergic to it
- Wait for the ambulance to arrive. Unless unavoidable, avoid driving to the hospital by yourself.
Why Choose Heart360 Care for Heart Attack Symptoms?
Heart360 Care has emerged from Dr. Nikhil’s dedication to providing world-class cardiac care tailored to every patient’s needs.
Here are the reasons that make Heart360 Care apart:
- Comprehensive cardiac care under one roof
- A team of skilled and compassionate cardiac experts
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Experience with over 250 robotic surgeries
- More than 3000 successful cardiac surgeries performed
- Easily accessible location
- Affordable heart-related treatments
If your loved ones experience any heart attack-related symptoms, you may book an appointment with Dr Nikhil of Heart360 Care for a personalised treatment regimen.
Conclusion
Heart attacks may appear differently in men and women, and heart attacks in women often present with subtle or atypical symptoms, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Recognising these signs early and seeking immediate medical attention can be life-saving. Regular check-ups, managing risk factors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important in preventing heart disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms associated with a heart attack, including nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue, while men often experience classic chest pain and more sudden symptoms. Women may also experience cold sweats, clammy skin, and unexplained anxiety that may lead to delayed diagnosis.
Heart attacks in women are diagnosed using a combination of medical history, physical examination, and tests, including ECG, blood tests for cardiac enzymes, echocardiograms, and coronary angiography. As most of the symptoms experienced by women are atypical, doctors may need a more thorough evaluation to accurately identify heart attacks in women.
Women may reduce their risk of heart-related problems by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle. It includes eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol intake, managing stress, and controlling blood sugar levels through regular check-ups.
Yes, heart attack symptoms may be silent in women. In a few cases, women may not experience classic chest pain but instead have vague symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, indigestion, or sleep disturbances, which are often overlooked and make diagnosis difficult.
Women who are over 55 years of age are more likely to develop a heart attack, particularly post-menopause, due to a decrease in estrogen hormone. However, younger women with risk factors, including diabetes, smoking, or a family history, are also vulnerable to developing heart disease.
