Signs of a Heart Attack in Women

Almost everyone knows that symptoms like pain in the chest or left arm may be symptoms of a heart attack. But did you know that those symptoms might not necessarily be what a woman feels if she has a heart attack? Keep reading to know the signs because minutes matter when it comes to this emergency condition!

Why Are Symptoms Different in Women?
While it isn’t necessarily talked about as much as it should be, mens’ and womens’ bodies are different! Unfortunately, much of our healthcare and even health research is based on a male-centric point of view.

When it comes to a heart attack, the fact is that women over 45 are far more likely to die from their first heart attack than men. This is possibly because women don’t know the signs that can occur in the female body at the onset of a cardiac event and are more likely to ignore them.

What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack in Women?

Just like with men, a woman may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Cold sweating

But women may also experience:

• Pain in the jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Discomfort in the stomach, back or neck

What Do I Do if I Think I’m Having a Heart Attack?
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you’re having the symptoms of a heart attack. You need emergency medication that will save your life. The longer a heart attack is ignored, the great damage it does and every second matters.

Advocate for Yourself
As you can read in this article, women are often dismissed or misdiagnosed when experiencing heart trouble. And yet, heart disease is the number one reason women die in America. Whatever you do, make sure that you understand the signs of heart trouble and if you feel you’re being dismissed by a medical professional, advocate for yourself!