When you think of somebody having a heart attack, it’s often a man suddenly clutching his chest in pain and falling to the ground. But heart attacks also affect women – and they can look quite different.
Did you know that cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel disease) is the most common cause of ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ for women? Women often miss the symptoms of a heart attack because they don’t think it could happen to them.
Heart attacks can cause cardiac arrest and sudden ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ. That’s why it’s important to learn about heart attack early signs in women
1- Chest Pain
A feeling of pressure, tightness or squeezing in the center of your chest.
It is the most common sign in men and women. You might feel pressure building up to a fullness or squeezing in your chest. It might last for a few minutes and come and go. Seek medical attention straight away!
2- Body Pains
It might feel like it is travelling from the chest to the arms, jaw, neck, back and abdomen.
Call 911 immediately if you feel this spreading pain. If you have no discomfort in your chest, but you find that the upper-body pain is out of the ordinary for you, get it checked out anyway.
3- Head
You might feel dizzy or lightheaded suddenly and without explanation. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, dizziness occurs more often in women than men.
The Harvard Medical School reports that nearly 4 out of 10 women experience dizziness caused by circulation issues.
Remember to dial 9-1-1 if you even suspect you could be having a heart attack…here are a few more possible signs:
It’s important to take everything into consideration. Are you feeling clammy, but you’re sweating? Do you have chest pain and is it spreading down your arms? Call 9-1-1 immediately.
If you don’t have the flu and you’re not feeling stressed, but you’re still suddenly feeling nauseous and panicked after a few minutes of deep breathing, call 9-1-1 and report your symptoms.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
4- Temperature Rising
Sudden, onset sweating, even if the room you are in is cool and comfortable. Your skin feels cold and clammy because your blood isn’t circulating.
This occurs in 39% of women’s heart attacks, according to Harvard Medical School.
5- Breathing Difficulties
You might experience labored breathing, or shortness of breath – like you’ve just run a marathon. You might have difficulty taking full breaths and experience coughing or wheezing.
References: health.clevelandclinic.org, 99easyrecipes.com
