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.
Silent heart attacks
Some heart attacks cause very mild symptoms or none that you'd notice. These "silent" heart attacks can pass for indigestion, a pulled muscle or just feeling run down, and are often discovered later on an ECG or other heart test. Research suggests women may be more likely than men to have them. A silent heart attack still damages the heart and raises the risk of a second, more serious one, so if you've had unexplained symptoms and have risk factors, ask your doctor whether a heart check is worthwhile.
What to do if you think it's a heart attack
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Call your local emergency number right away (112 or 108 in India, 911 in the US, 999 in the UK). Don't wait to see if it passes.
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Don't drive yourself. Paramedics can begin treatment on the way and alert the hospital.
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Stop what you're doing and sit or lie down in a comfortable position while you wait.
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Follow the dispatcher's instructions. They may advise you to chew an aspirin if you're not allergic and have no reason to avoid it. Don't take it on your own say-so alone, and never let it delay the call.
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Tell someone near you so you're not alone. It is always better to be checked and told it's nothing than to stay home with a heart attack.
Who is at higher risk?
Some risk factors affect everyone: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and a family history of early heart disease. Several others are specific to women or affect women differently:
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Pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes, which are linked to higher heart disease risk later in life.
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Early menopause and the drop in oestrogen after menopause.
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
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Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Chronic stress, depression and poor sleep.
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Age: risk rises notably after menopause. If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor and ask about your heart risk, even if you feel well.
How to lower your risk
Much of heart disease is preventable. These habits make the biggest difference:
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Eat for your heart. Favour vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and healthy oils, and go easy on processed food, sugary drinks and excess salt.
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Move regularly. Aim for around 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming.
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Keep a healthy weight, especially around the waist.
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Don't smoke, and avoid second-hand smoke. If you smoke, quitting is the single most effective step you can take.
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Limit alcohol.
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Sleep well. Most adults need seven to nine hours a night.
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Manage stress through whatever works for you: exercise, time outdoors, relaxation techniques, counselling, or support from friends and family.
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Know your numbers. Have your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked regularly, and follow your doctor's advice if they're high.
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Don't skip check-ups, particularly after pregnancy complications or menopause
Need a second opinion or heart care in India?
If you or a family member has been advised heart tests or treatment, Karetrip can help you compare hospitals and specialists, understand costs, and plan travel. Chat to our medical assistant RUA, to get started