What are the Heart Attack Symptoms in Women?

Women are equally at risk for heart disease, despite the fact that it is often thought of as a male issue. Actually, heart attacks in women can have distinct symptoms than those in men, which makes it more difficult to recognise it. The dangerous myth that heart disease is a "man's disease" has endured for decades. Particularly for women, this fallacy has cost lives. Since 1984, cardiovascular disease has claimed the lives of more women than males. The numbers are startling: 250,000 women die from coronary artery disease alone each year, out of almost 450,000 people who die from heart disease.

However, a lot of women still think that the biggest risk to their health is breast cancer. While breast cancer is a serious concern, it’s heart disease that remains the leading cause of death among women. Women are more at risk because of this misconception, which ultimately results in delayed diagnosis and treatment. 

Women typically experience heart disease around ten years later than males, but this delay does not provide safeguards; rather, it often makes the condition worse. One major factor contributing to women's poorer post-heart attack outcomes is their failure to detect symptoms. Surprisingly, around 35% of female heart attacks are either unreported or unnoticed.

Because co-morbid illnesses like diabetes and hypertension are more common in older women, the risk increases. Treatment and recovery can often be rendered more difficult by these underlying problems and delayed recognition. Women should be especially mindful of the warning signals their bodies are sending because of this. Let’s learn more about heart attack symptoms in women in this article.

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

For both men and women, chest pain is the most typical sign of a heart attack. However, women are more likely than males to experience symptoms like nausea and temporary back or neck discomfort that might not seem connected to a heart attack. Women often characterise chest pain from heart attacks as tightness or pressure. However, chest pain is not always a sign of a heart attack. The following heart attack symptoms are more common in women than in men:

• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper stomach pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain in one or both arms
• Oversweating
• Lightheadedness 
• Dizziness
• Unexplained fatigue
• Heartburn (indigestion)

Despite being more obvious than the chest pain, these symptoms may be vague. When at rest or even asleep, women experience symptoms more frequently than men do. Additionally, emotional stress may contribute to the onset of heart attack symptoms. Compared to men, women are more likely to experience a heart attack without a significant arterial blockage. It is known as nonobstructive coronary artery disease. Women also often experience blockages in the smaller arteries that carry blood to the heart in addition to their larger arteries. Small vessel heart disease, also known as coronary microvascular disease, is a condition where the smaller arteries get blocked.

Also, read: First Aid in Heart Attack: What to Do and Not to Do?

Risk Factors for Heart Attack in Women

Heart disease should be taken seriously by everyone. Heart disease risk factors should be closely monitored by women under 65, particularly those with a family history of the condition. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity are risk factors for heart disease. Men and women are both impacted. However, there may be more factors at play when it comes to women developing heart disease. The following medical disorders are more common in women than in men and raise the risk of heart disease:

• Smoking
• Not being active
• Emotional stress and depression
• Diabetes
• Menopause
• Pregnancy complications
• Family history of early heart disease
• Certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and scleroderma, and inflammatory conditions 

When to See a Doctor?

Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a heart attack or are experiencing its symptoms.

Also, read: How Do You Know If You're Having a Heart Attack?

Lifestyle Changes to Minimize the Risk of Heart Attacks

The risk of heart disease in women and men both can be decreased by leading a healthy lifestyle. Try the following heart-healthy actions:

• Do not smoke or use tobacco as smoking damages blood vessels. It is a major risk factor for heart disease. 
• Eat a heart healthy diet. Select lean meats, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Reduce your intake of sugar and salt. Steer clear of trans and saturated fats.
• Maintain a healthy weight and engage in exercise regularly. Even a small weight loss can reduce your risk of heart disease if you are overweight. Find out what weight is ideal for you by speaking with your doctor about it.
• Control your stress. Arteries can get constricted due to stress increasing the risk of coronary microvascular disease. 
• Increasing physical activity, engaging in mindfulness exercises, and joining support groups are some strategies to combat stress.
• Don't drink alcohol too much. If you decide to consume alcohol, do so sparingly. For healthy people, that means no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.
• Manage your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Modify your lifestyle and take medications as prescribed. Get routine medical examinations done.

Conclusion

Recognizing heart attack symptoms in women is crucial. Beyond chest pain, signs like nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and jaw or back pain should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.

Take charge of your heart health today. At Artemis Cardiac Care, our expert team is here to provide world-class cardiac treatment tailored to your needs. Book your appointment now and ensure a healthier tomorrow!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What does a female heart attack feel like?
A: Discomfort in the middle of your chest, such as fullness, squeezing, or pressure. It either persists for more than a few minutes or stops and then returns. One or both arms, the back, the neck, the jaw, or the stomach may ache. Breathlessness with or without chest discomfort.

Q2: How do heart attacks begin?
A: When there is a significant reduction or obstruction in the blood supply to the heart, a heart attack happens. The accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other materials in the heart's (coronary) arteries is typically the cause of the obstruction. Plaques are deposits that include fat and cholesterol.

Q3: Can a cardiac obstruction be detected by an ECG?
A: An ECG is an excellent tool for analysing cardiac impulses and can either directly or indirectly assist in identifying artery problems or heart blockages.