Heart attack signs in women

Many of us know the picture of a heart attack from films: a man puts his hand on his chest and falls. In women the picture may be different. This article explains what is different and what is not.

What is the same?

The main signs are the same for everyone. The CDC and the WHO list: pressure, tightness or pain in the chest, pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, arms or shoulders, breathlessness, nausea, dizziness or feeling faint, and cold sweat. Women can also have the classic chest pain. The NHS gives the same list without separating by sex.

What is seen more often in women?

The CDC says women more often report “other” signs, that is, unusual tiredness and nausea or vomiting. In more detail, womenshealth.gov (the US Office on Women’s Health) and the WHO say:

• Pain in the back, neck or jaw is more often a sign of a heart attack in women than in men.
• Sudden, unusual tiredness or feeling weak is among the most common signs in women.
• Nausea, vomiting or indigestion is reported much more often in women than in men.
• Breathlessness, especially severe breathlessness.
• Unfamiliar dizziness or light-headedness and a cold sweat that you know has nothing to do with the menopause (womenshealth.gov).
• Women are more likely than men to have several signs together, and the chest pain may not be severe.

The WHO reminds us that often there is no warning sign before a heart attack or stroke, and the heart attack or stroke itself may be the first sign of the disease.

Why does this matter?

Because signs such as tiredness, nausea or back pain are easily put down to something else: last night’s food, too much work, age, the menopause, stress. The WHO notes that women, older people and people with diabetes more often have unusual signs. If we put the signs down to something else and wait, time may be lost. The WHO says “time lost is heart muscle lost”.

This does not mean that every tiredness or nausea comes from the heart. Most of the time it does not. But when a sign is sudden, severe, unfamiliar and has no reason, or comes with other signs, it should not be set aside.

When to call 115?

Call 115 (Iran’s emergency number) and do not wait if:

• You have chest pressure or pain that does not go away
• You have pain in the back, neck, jaw, shoulder or arm with breathlessness, nausea, cold sweat or dizziness
• You have sudden, unusual tiredness and do not know the cause, especially if it comes with breathlessness or dizziness
• Your lips or skin have turned pale, bluish or grey

womenshealth.gov says the only way to be sure is to have the emergency staff examine you as soon as possible. MedlinePlus says not to drive yourself and not to wait.

And afterwards?

If the signs are not urgent but you are worried, or your family has a history of heart disease, or you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, or you smoke and your symptoms have not been taken seriously, talk to a doctor. Write down the symptoms and say that you are worried about your heart.

The WHO says most heart disease can be prevented by dealing with risk factors: stopping tobacco, cutting down on salt, eating fruit and vegetables, being physically active and avoiding harmful alcohol. Regular checks of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol are also part of basic care.

Symptoms and treatment plans differ from patient to patient. Talk to a doctor about your own situation.