Scientists have discovered over the past few decades that heart attack symptoms in women can be significantly different from those in men.
The results of a multicenter investigation involving 515 women who had suffered a heart attack were reported in the journal Circulation. Chest pain was not among the most frequently mentioned symptoms. Women were more likely to report anxiety, sleep problems, and extreme fatigue. Before the heart attack, more than 80% of respondents reported at least one symptom for more than a month. In a survey published in the journal Circulation, only 65% ​​of women said they would call 911 if they suspected they might be having a heart attack.
Below are the symptoms of heart attack in women:
Seek emergency care immediately, even if you are not sure. Choose according to what you perceive as normal and abnormal. Do not hesitate to seek help if you have never experienced similar symptoms before. Get a second opinion if you disagree with your doctor’s diagnosis.
unusual exhaustion lasting several days or sudden extreme tiredness
In women, severe, unexplained fatigue or a sudden drop in energy can sometimes be a warning sign of a heart attack.
sleep disorders
Sleep problems have been identified as warning indicators of heart attack in some women. These symptoms include insomnia, unusual restlessness, and frequent awakenings during the night.Uncertainty
During a heart attack, some women may feel anxious, depressed, or as if something is seriously wrong.
dizziness
Another symptom that can occur during a heart attack is feeling faint or dizzy.
Stuffiness
One of the symptoms of a heart attack is shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. This can happen with or without chest pain.
Pain similar to gas or indigestion
During a heart attack, some women may experience nausea or vomiting, which may be misdiagnosed as other digestive problems.
He sweats at low temperatures.
jaw discomfort or pain radiating from the jaw
In addition to the chest, women may also feel pain or discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, back, or stomach. This is a milder symptom that may radiate from the chest.
Pressure or pain in the middle of the chest that could spread to the arm
Both men and women often experience chest pain, but women can experience different types of chest discomfort. It can be characterized as intermittent burning, fullness, pressure, or pressure in the chest.
Heart attack in women over 50 years old
Between the ages of 50 and 55, when menopause begins for many, women undergo significant physical changes.
Your hormone levels of the hormone estrogen decrease at this stage of life. Estrogen is thought to help protect your heart from damage. Your chance of having a heart attack increases after menopause. Unfortunately, women have a lower survival rate than men when they suffer a heart attack. As a result, it’s even more important to pay attention to your heart health after menopause.
Watch out for these symptoms and make time for regular doctor visits. Women over the age of fifty may also show other symptoms of a heart attack.
These symptoms include:
Significant discomfort or pain in the back, neck, jaw, stomach, or limbs; fast or irregular heartbeat; perspiration;
signs of a silent heart attack
Similar to any other heart attack, a silent heart attack lacks typical signs. In other words, you may not even realize you’ve had a heart attack.
In fact, according to studies from Duke University Medical Center, as many as 200,000 Americans a year may have a heart attack without knowing it.
Unfortunately, these incidents increase the chance of further attacks and damage the heart. Individuals with diabetes and people with a history of heart attacks are more likely to experience silent heart attacks.
The following signs and symptoms may indicate a silent heart attack:
Minor discomfort that subsides after rest in the arms, jaw, or chest; shortness of breath and fatigue that comes on quickly; sleep disorders and increased fatigue; stomach pain or heartburn; skin moisture.
You may feel even more exhausted than before or find that exercise becomes more challenging after a silent heart attack. Exercise regularly to monitor your heart health. If you have any cardiac risk factors, see your doctor for tests to evaluate your heart health.
The growing understanding of how heart attack symptoms may differ between men and women highlights the importance of awareness and education about women’s health. Research shows that women often experience less typical symptoms, such as unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, and anxiety, rather than the classic chest pain commonly associated with heart attacks. This discrepancy underscores the need for women to recognize their unique signs and seek immediate medical attention if they suspect something is wrong.
Especially in women over 50, the risk of heart disease increases significantly due to hormonal changes associated with menopause. As estrogen levels decline, the protective benefits it offers for heart health decrease and the likelihood of a heart attack increases. Therefore, at this stage of life, women must prioritize regular check-ups and take care of their heart health, remembering typical and atypical symptoms.
In addition, the phenomenon of silent cardiac events, which can occur without noticeable symptoms, represents a significant challenge. Many individuals may unknowingly suffer from these events, increasing their risk of future complications. Regular health checkups and open discussions with healthcare providers about risk factors can help reduce this danger. Overall, promoting awareness and understanding of heart health can empower women to take proactive steps to protect themselves from heart disease.