According to CDC estimates, nearly one million Americans have a heart attack each year. And surviving a heart attack often depends on how quickly you receive medical care. The first step then is to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, which can vary significantly between women and men.
Our team of experts at Premier Cardiology Consultants in New York specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating cardiovascular diseases that can result in heart attacks.
While anyone can have a heart attack, irrespective of gender, we’re happy to explain how symptoms can vary, sometimes leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment in women.
Traditionally, heart attack symptoms are described through the lens of male experiences. The symptoms include:
This is often described as pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the center of the chest. It can last for a few minutes or come and go.
Heart attack symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the upper to mid back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach.
This can occur with or without chest discomfort and may worsen with even light activity.
Heart attack symptoms may also include cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness, or dizziness. You may experience one, a few, or none of these symptoms. A so-called “silent” heart attack occurs without symptoms but leaves identifiable damage to the heart.
However, men are more likely to experience chest pain as their predominant symptom.
While chest pain is still a common symptom for women, they are often more likely to experience other symptoms that can be less noticeable or easily dismissed as unrelated to the heart.
For instance, women are more likely to have 'atypical' symptoms such as:
Some women report feeling extremely tired, even if they've been sitting still for a while or haven't been overly active.
Difficulty sleeping could be related to the heart and might not be associated with discomfort in the chest.
Digestive issues, including nausea, can be a sign of heart disease, particularly in women.
These heart attack symptoms can occur more often in women than men.
Both men and women report shortness of breath with a heart attack, but it often occurs without chest pain in women.
Unlike men, women might experience moderate to severe discomfort in one or both arms, the upper back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Palpitations, cold sweats, and unexplained anxiety are potential signs of a heart attack in women.
The primary reason for understanding these differences lies in the consequences of misdiagnosis or delayed treatment for heart disease or a heart attack. Early treatment is vital for both women and men experiencing a heart attack. Such treatment can save your life and help reduce disabling damage to your heart muscle.
Unfortunately, women are sometimes less likely to believe they're having a heart attack and may delay emergency care. Also, physicians can sometimes overlook heart attack symptoms in women, attributing them to conditions like acid reflux, stress, or musculoskeletal issues.
Regardless of gender, if you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. If you’re concerned about your risk factors, we can help. Schedule an evaluation at Premier Cardiology today. Call the office or request an appointment online.
