Heart attack is a leading cause of death among women. Interestingly, the symptoms or warning signs of heart attack can be different in women than in men.

Are you curious about the potential warning signs of heart attack in women? Want to know more about them? Looking for preventive measures against these signs?

Karetrip is here to help you. In this blog, we will help you understand the warning signs of heart attack in women.

We aim to raise awareness and empower women to recognize and respond to these signals effectively. Let’s dive in.

Understanding Heart Attacks In Women

About once every 40 seconds, someone experiences a heart attack. It happens when the cardiac muscle's blood supply of oxygen is significantly decreased or stopped.

Heart attack occurs because of a build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances called plaque causing the arteries supplying the heart with blood to gradually shrink.

While the common symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure, are well known, it is crucial to recognize that women may experience heart attacks differently from men.

Studies show that women are more likely than men to have silent heart attacks.

Women experience minimal or no symptoms during silent attacks. These can go unnoticed and can only be detected through tests like electrocardiograms (ECGs).

Some of the risk factors associated with heart attacks in women include:

• Age
• Health conditions
• Hormonal factors
• Psychological factors

To find the differences in heart attack symptoms between men and women, awareness is essential. Understanding those symptoms allows individuals to seek timely medical attention, potentially saving lives.

6 Warning Signs To Look Out For:

• Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath or dyspnea can be a subtle yet crucial symptom of heart problems in women.

While it's natural to feel breathless during physical activity or due to certain medical conditions, sudden and unexplained breathlessness during routine activities could indicate an underlying heart problem.

Shortness of breath in women can be due to certain reasons such as:

Heart failure Heart valve disorders Reduced blood flow to heart Coronary microvascular disease

• Chest pain or discomfort Chest pain or discomfort is often considered a common symptom of a heart attack. But, it is essential to recognize that women may experience it differently than men.

For some women, chest discomfort may feel more like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or tightness in the chest rather than sharp pain. Some may describe it as a burning sensation or discomfort that spreads to the back, shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or throat.

• Dizziness

Feeling faint or dizzy can be a sign of heart problems in women. While dizziness can result from various factors like dehydration or low blood sugar, it can also be a warning sign of underlying heart issues.

Unexpected dizziness should be treated right away, especially in women, if it is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, sweating, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Immediate medical attention can help healthcare providers identify the underlying cause of dizziness and initiate appropriate treatment to address any potential heart-related issues.

• Fatigue

Fatigue or extreme tiredness is often overlooked in women. However, it can indeed be a warning sign of a potential heart attack in women. Fatigue related to heart attack is a severe and persistent tiredness that can significantly affect day-to-day functioning.

It can be due to underlying heart conditions, disrupted circulation, and decreased cardiac output. Ignoring this can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. It can potentially put women at risk for more severe complications, including heart attacks. Therefore, it is essential for women to listen to their bodies and prioritize their health by seeking medical attention.

• Pain in arms, back, neck, or jaws

Apart from chest pain, sudden and unexplained pain in your arms, back, neck, or jaws can also be warning signs of heart attack in women. Identifying discomfort in these areas as potential warning signs of heart attack is crucial for early detection and treatment.

These signs are atypical but it is important to consider these as well. Delaying or avoiding medical evaluation when experiencing these symptoms can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. It can potentially worsen the outcomes for women with heart disease.

• Nausea or vomiting

Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or indigestion can be inactive warning signs of a heart attack in women. These symptoms may occur due to the connection between the heart and the gastrointestinal system.

The body's reaction to the stress and pressure on the heart during a heart attack might cause symptoms that resemble digestive problems.

What Are The Prevention Strategies?

Certain lifestyle changes and other preventive methods are effective in preventing the likelihood of heart attack in women. Some of them are as follows:

• Maintain a heart healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Regular physical activities
• Limit alcohol
• Avoid smoking
• Limit salt intake
• Getting quality sleep
• Managing stress
• Regular health checkups
• Routine screenings
• Awareness about heart healthy lifestyle
• Educate yourself about the warning signs
• Stay hydrated