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Knowing These Surprising (and Subtle) Signs Of A Heart Attack In Women May Save Your Life
7 Heart Attack Symptoms Women Should KnowJim Dowdalls - Getty Images
When you think about a heart attack, you probably picture someone clutching their chest and falling to the ground with their breath knocked out of them. But what does a heart attack feel like for women? The truth is that some signs and symptoms of a problem are subtle and can therefore go unnoticed.
Although heart attacks are often thought of to be more common in men, heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women, accounting for about one in four deaths in women in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But even though heart attacks are so common in women, there's still one big problem: "There's the perception that a woman would never think she's having a heart attack, so she's going to think it's everything else but," says Marla Mendelson, M.D., associate professor of cardiology at Northwestern Medicine.
Meet the experts: Holly Andersen, M.D., attending cardiologist at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center and scientific advisor for Women's Heart Alliance; Marla Mendelson, M.D., associate professor of cardiology at Northwestern Medicine; Erin Donnelly Michos, M.D., associate director of preventive cardiology at Johns Hopkins Medicine; and Amy Sarma, M.D., a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Women more often take a wait-and-see approach—too busy to have a heart attack right now—and too many women are dying of their heart attacks," says Holly Andersen, M.D., attending cardiologist at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center and scientific advisor for Women's Heart Alliance. "Women's Heart Alliance is currently running a PSA to educate women about heart disease misdiagnosis, which is still all too common today. The campaign encourages women to know the symptoms and speak up for themselves."
Remember, if you think you may be having a heart attack, it's imperative to act fast and call 911. "We have a saying that 'time is muscle,'" Dr. Anderson says.
What is a heart attack?To recognize when it may be happening to you, it's important to first understand what a heart attack usually is. "Essentially what's happening is that the arteries in the heart are unable to provide sufficient blood flow to the working heart muscle, and most commonly this is due to atherosclerosis, this plaque that builds up in the arteries," says Erin Donnelly Michos, M.D., associate director of preventive cardiology at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
And although plaque naturally builds up over time, a heart attack occurs when that plaque ruptures suddenly, says Dr. Michos. "The plaque ruptures, and a clot forms," she says. "And there can be a complete obstruction of blood flow down the artery of heart."
When that obstruction or blockage happens, it causes the heart muscle to begin to die. "This is why it's an emergency, because if the heart muscle dies, it doesn't repair itself," says Dr. Michos. "Time is muscle."
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What does a heart attack feel like for women?Hearst Owned
IndigestionBecause the heart sits on top of the stomach, it can be common to confuse a heart attack for simple indigestion. And, unfortunately, medicine has historically gotten this wrong for women, too.
"In 1991, there was actually a study that showed women who came into the emergency room with chest pain were treated differently than the men," says Dr. Mendelson. "Women were sent home with antacids, and the men were sent to the cath lab," she says.
And although medicine has now caught up significantly and has raised an increased awareness for heart disease in women, we as women still might hesitate to recognize a heart attack for indigestion if we're feeling stomach pains.
"We still see women staying home because they have indigestion and treating themselves with antacid," says Dr. Mendelson. So if you're experiencing indigestion that feels abnormal or lasts for a more than a few minutes, get to a doctor right away.
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Jaw and back painEveryone perceives pain differently, and everyone has different thresholds for pain. Because of that, it's easy to confuse pain coming from the chest as pain coming from other areas, including the jaw or back.
"It's not because the heart attack's any different," says Dr. Mendelson. "It's the perception of the symptoms."
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HeartburnSimilar to indigestion, because of the positioning of the heart, it could be very easy to think you're just having a simple case of heartburn. "The heart sits right on top of the esophagus in the stomach, so sometimes heartburn can feel like a heart attack, and a heart attack can feel like heartburn," says Dr. Michos.
The important thing here is recognizing the time that passes. "If this is going on longer than five to seven minutes and you're having ongoing discomfort that's not going away with sitting and resting, and this is a new thing, this came on suddenly, you've never had it before, that's sort of how a heart attack presents," says Dr. Michos.
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Shortness of breathIf you have shortness of breath after heavy exercise, that's usually pretty normal. But if you're experiencing shortness of breath when you're just sitting on the couch, or if you're unable to make it up the stairs, that could signal something more troublesome going on in your heart.
Even if that shortness of breath isn't accompanied by chest pain, it could still signify a heart attack. "I always tell patients that if they think that something is wrong, they should seek immediate medical attention as everyone experiences a heart attack differently and the absence of chest pain does not mean that it's not your heart," says Amy Sarma, M.D., a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Left arm painBoth men and women can experience any of these symptoms, but left arm pain is often what we think of as the classic heart attack symptom. That's because, similar to jaw and back pain, your brain can't decipher where the pain is coming from.
"Because the nerve endings all come into the spinal column at the same place—from the upper arm, from the chest—the brain can't pick out that it's actually happening in the heart," says Dr. Mendelson. "For example, if you prick your finger, you know exactly where you're poking your finger. You don't have that in the chest."
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NauseaLike indigestion, because the heart sits on top of the stomach, a heart attack can cause some nausea. "The heart's your major, vital organ, and it's not getting enough blood flow, and the heart muscle's dying, and people feel incredibly sick," says Dr. Michos.
But typically, a heart attack will cause a general sense of illness on top of that nausea, including feeling cold, lightheaded, and clammy. "It's usually not just a little bit of nausea," says Dr. Michos.
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Chest painThis is the most notorious sign of a heart attack: the feeling of an elephant sitting on your chest, or a feeling of sudden tightness near your heart. "It can have the pressure, the squeezing, the tightness in the chest," says Dr. Michos. "That's the typical presentation." If you're experiencing this, it's important to get to a medical professional right away.
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What should I do if I think I'm having a heart attack?Call 911. "Not your doctor, not your spouse—you can alert them later. Call 911. Time is muscle. And when you get to the ER, tell them to evaluate your heart. Ask for an EKG and blood test. If you think you may be having a heart attack, tell them you are having chest pain because that triggers action," says Dr. Andersen.
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Heart disease risk factors for women"Prevention is the key, and we know that the things that prevent heart attacks in men also prevent heart attacks in women," says Dr. Mendelson. Heart disease plays a large role as well in preventing a heart attack.
According to the CDC, the following are heart disease risk factors for women:
High blood pressure (especially in pregnant women)
Smoking
Types of diabetes
Being overweight
Consuming an "unhealthy" diet
Lack of exercise
Excess drinking of alcohol
Stress
Depression
Early first period (before age 11)
Early menopause (before age 40)
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Gestational diabetes
Preterm delivery
Delivery of a low birth weight or high birth weight in an infant
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When to see a doctorIf you have weird symptoms, or simply think something is up, don't wait. Get help now. "The most common symptom of a heart attack for women is chest pain or pressure," explains Dr. Anderson. "But 40% of women having a heart attack will not experience chest pain. They may feel jaw, back, or neck pain, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, or experience nausea, heartburn—even vomiting." Ultimately, "most know something is wrong—we want women to know it could be their heart—and to act. Call 911."
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Heart Attack: What Are The First 9 Symptom That A Patient May Experience
Have you ever had chest discomfort or a radiating discomfort that may reach beyond the arms? It is important to recognise that detecting the early signs of a heart attack is important for obtaining immediate medical assistance. The symptoms can differ from person to person, but here are nine frequent indications that a patient may feel during the early stages of a heart attack:
Radiating PainThe pain or discomfort may extend beyond the chest to the arms, typically the left arm, but it can also affect the right arm or even the jaw, neck, shoulder, or upper back.
"Not every shoulder pain suggests a heart attack, some characteristics provide valuable indicators," adding that cardiac-related shoulder pain exhibits distinct features that distinguish it from musculoskeletal discomfort," said Dr Subrat Akhoury, Director-Cath Lab and Interventional Cardiologist and Head, Asian Hospital, Faridabad.
Chest DiscomfortThe most classic symptom of a heart attack is chest discomfort. It may feel like pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the centre of the chest. This sensation can last for a few minutes or come and go.
Also read: Heart Attack Prevention and Management: The Importance of Regular Health Check-ups
Chest pain is one of the most prevalent reasons for people to attend the emergency room. Chest discomfort varies according to the individual. It also varies in key factors such as quality, intensity, duration, and location.
Shortness of BreathFeeling short of breath or having difficulty breathing can be an early sign of a heart attack. This may occur before or along with chest discomfort.
Nausea or VomitingSome people may experience nausea, vomiting, or an upset stomach. These symptoms can be particularly common in women and older adults.
As per the Texas Heart Institute, profuse sweating, especially cold sweats, can occur during a heart attack. The body reacts to the stress on the heart by releasing sweat to cool down.
FatigueUnexplained and extreme fatigue or weakness, especially when it comes on suddenly, can be an early sign of a heart attack. It may be more common in women.
Dizziness or LightheadednessFeeling dizzy or lightheaded, to the point of nearly fainting, can be a symptom of a heart attack. This may occur due to the heart's reduced ability to pump blood effectively.
Chest Pressure or DiscomfortWhile chest pain is a common symptom, some people may describe the sensation as pressure, fullness, or discomfort in the chest rather than acute pain.
Also read: How To Know If Your Shoulder Pain Is A Sign Of Heart Attack: Expert Explains
Anxiety or RestlessnessA feeling of impending doom, anxiety, or restlessness can sometimes precede or accompany a heart attack. Some individuals may have a sense that something is wrong.
It's important to note that not everyone experiencing a heart attack will have all these symptoms, and symptoms can vary in intensity. Also, women may experience atypical symptoms, such as extreme fatigue, indigestion, or discomfort in the upper back or jaw.
If someone is experiencing symptoms that could indicate a heart attack, it is crucial to seek emergency medical attention immediately by calling emergency services. Early intervention can greatly improve the chances of survival and minimise damage to the heart muscle.
Doctor: Symptoms Of A Heart Attack Can Be Different For Women Compared To Men
Feb 22, 2024, 12:43pmUpdated 7h ago
By: News 12 Staff
February is Heart Health Month, and doctors are urging everyone to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and to call an ambulance in an emergency.
According to Dr. Judah Rauch, Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at White Plains Hospital, symptoms such as chest discomfort, arm discomfort, or jaw discomfort associated with other symptoms and lasting more than 5 to 10 minutes should prompt a call to EMS. Dr. Rauch emphasizes, "Please don't drive yourself to the hospital."
The doctor stresses the importance of being prepared and urges individuals to take their symptoms seriously.
Additionally, doctors emphasize that the symptoms of a heart attack can be different for women compared to men, highlighting the need for awareness and prompt action in case of any concerning symptoms.
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