Heart Attack In Women - The Signs Could Be Misdiagnosed

It is common to hear of men having heart attacks, but women also suffer from heart attacks. And as women get more hours of work outside the home in addition to taking care of families, it is likely that heart attacks in women will continue to increase. Increased stress can damage the heart and its blood vessels.

In this article, you will know how heart attack in women can have different symptoms from those in men.

The General Symptoms of Heart Attack

• Chest pain or discomfort, that may radiate down one arm
• Pain in other parts of the body (neck, jaw, back, shoulders, arms)
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness

Women can experience these common signs and symptoms of a heart attack, but many get misdiagnosed by emergency room doctors upon presentation. This is because women tend to complain of other symptoms that have nothing to do with chest-pain. Most often, the heart attack symptoms in women are more vague, and less clear-cut.

The Common Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Like men, women also complain of chest pain or discomfort before a heart attack. However, in women, the pain is not just limited to the left side of the chest, it can be anywhere. 

Besides this sign of heart attack, women may also experience these 5 symptoms:

1. Pain in the back or jaw (it can also be in the arms or neck)

The pain  may come and go and varies in intensity. It could be severe that it wakes you up at night. If you feel pain from the waist up and it is not common for you, consult a doctor immediately.

2. Pain or pressure in the stomach, nausea, and/or vomiting

This type of pain or pressure may be mistaken for heartburn or acid reflux and ulcers not relieved with antacids. The pressure could feel like somebody is sitting on top of you, squeezing you. If you're not feeling better, see a doctor.

3. Breaking out in cold sweats

You're not doing anything to sweat like this. This kind of sweating is also not related to menopausal hot flashes. It is common in women experiencing heart attacks. 

4. Extreme fatigue and exhaustion

If you feel so weak in doing even the simplest of tasks, it could be that you are having a heart attack.  Often, it is described as feeling fatigue that never go away.

5. Lightheadedness, and/or shortness of breath

You may feel having difficulty breathing without any reason. It could feel like you just finished exercising even if you did not. Again, seek help as soon as possible. 

Heart Attacks in Women Under 40

It's not only older women that have heart attacks. Even women under 40 can have heart attacks, especially if they have these risk factors:

Obesity or overweight
Smoking
Using birth control pills in high-risk persons
Uncontrolled diabetes
Lack of exercise

What To Do

Don't start worrying that you could possibly have a heart attack. It is unhealthy and more stressful, which negatively impacts your heart.

Nevertheless, you need to know that women can have heart attacks. So, know your risk factors, and do something to lower your risk.

Even if it's not chest pain that you are feeling, do not dismiss the idea that it's possible that it is a heart attack.  Always seek medical advice immediately. Also, remember that doctors may misdiagnose your symptoms, so be sure to watch your own health.