Heart Attacks and Heart Disease - Why Women Are Different

Most research on heart disease has been done on men. So there is still much to be learned about heart disease in women. For example, the symptoms of a heart attack in women can differ from those in men. Crushing chest pain isn’t typical. In fact, women are much more likely to experience no chest pain prior to a heart attack. And women are more likely to die than men within one year after a heart attack. Protect yourself.

Learn these warning signs of a heart attack, as identified by the American Heart Association:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Women often experience chest discomfort described as aching, tightness or pressure—not chest pain.⁴
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Other symptoms of unstable chest pain and heart attack in women specifically include:⁴

• Unusual fatigue
• Back pain
• Shortness of breath
• Indigestion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Epigastric pain (stomach upset)
• Loss of appetite

In addition, research has revealed that women often experience sleep disturbances, weakness, indigestion and anxiety in the weeks preceding a heart attack.⁴ 

Women typically wait much longer than men to seek treatment for a heart attack, and the results can be deadly. If you’re experiencing chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don’t wait longer than five minutes before calling 9-1-1 for help.

Sources:

⁴ McSweeney, J.C., Marisue, C., O’Sullivan, P.O., Elberson, K., Moser, D.K., Garvin, B.J. (2003). “Women’s Early Warning Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction.” Circulation, 108, pages 2619-2623.