When “heart attack” is mentioned, what’s the first visual
that pops into your head? Is it a man grasping his chest in pain then
falling to the ground? While that’s what’s portrayed in most
movies, it’s important to realize the heart attack victim you’re
picturing could just as easily be a woman and the scene may look a little
less dramatic.
“Women can certainly experience some of the same heart attack symptoms
as men like chest pain and shortness of breath, but a heart attack can
look and feel very different for women,” says Cardiologist Jeff
Neal, DO, FACC of Catawba Valley Cardiology. “More commonly than
men, women experience some of the less obvious symptoms such as shortness
of breath, fatigue, weakness, back pain, indigestion or nausea. Because
these symptoms are not typical for a heart attack, multiple studies have
shown women present later in the disease and also are sicker which leads
to worse overall outcomes as compared to men.”
To help clarify the less obvious and potentially confusing symptoms for
women, Dr. Neal provides a list of the most common ones in both genders:
WOMEN
- Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in one or both arms (especially left arm)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Feeling light headed or dizzy
- Unusual, overwhelming fatigue
- Indigestion
MEN & WOMEN
- Discomfort, tightness, uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing in the
center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or comes and goes
- Crushing chest pain
- Dizziness or nausea
- Clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness
- Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness – especially
with exertion
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Pressure or pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, upper back, jaw, or arms
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
Keep in mind, heart attack symptoms vary from person to person and even
from one heart attack to another. There’s no simple deciding factor
as to whether or not you might be having a heart attack based on one or
more of these symptoms alone. “To distinguish whether these problems
are related to a possible heart attack, an electrocardiogram, blood tests,
or imaging studies are usually required and typically these are only available
in a medical environment,” Dr. Neal says. “So, if you are
concerned that you might be suffering from a heart attack, immediately
contact your medical provider, go to an emergency room, or call 911.”
If you are at risk, think you may be at risk or want to learn more about
how to reduce your risk for heart disease, consult your primary care provider or visit
Catawba Valley Cardiology online. With over 110+ years of combined experience, we are ready to serve
as your first line of defense in guarding your most valuable possession
of all: your HEART!