Recently, scientists have learned that heart attach symptoms between men and women are quite different.
According to the journal Circulation, in its 2003 edition, the most frequently reported symptoms don’t even include chest pain. Women experienced unusual fatigue, anxiety and sleep problems and almost 80 % of the involved women said that they experienced at least one of the symptoms a month before they had the heart attack.
Heart attack symptoms in women:
- Unusual, long-lasting fatigue
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Indigestion and gas
- Jaw pain
- Upper back, shoulder and throat pain
- Pressure in the chest which spreads to the arm
According to a 2012 survey from the same journal, only 65 % of women said that they would call 911 if they suspected a heart attack. However, we will strongly advise you to call the emergency care as soon as you start feeling something abnormal.
If you haven’t had the symptoms before then go ahead and ask for help and always ask for a second opinion.
Heart attacks and women over 50
Physical changes in women are more emphasized around age 50 when most of the women population goes through menopause. In this period, your estrogen levels drop and after menopause, the risk of a heart attack increases.
According to different statistics, women who experience heart attacks are less capable of surviving them.
Some of the additional symptoms include:
- Severe chest pain
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Arms, back, neck and stomach pain and discomfort
- Sweating
Make sure you are aware of these symptoms and you check your heart health regularly.
Symptoms of silent heart attacks
The silent heart attack happens without the usual symptoms and you might not realize that you are experiencing a heart attack.
According to a research from Duke University Medical Center, around 200,000 Americans experience heart attacks every year without knowing it. These unnoticeable events cause heart damage and increase the risk of other more serious attacks.
People with diabetes and those with a heart attack history are more prone to suffering from silent heart attacks.
Silent heart attack symptoms
- Chest, arms and jaw discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Sleep problems and fatigue
- Stomach pain and heartburn
- Skin clamminess
After experiencing a silent heart attack, you might become even more fatigue than before and you might find exercising a problem. Make sure you have regular check-ups with your physician, so you can be on top of your heart health.
