Heart Attack Signs in Women

Typically, the signs of a heart attack are the same in both men and women. Both often begin with discomfort or pain located in the chest. However, unlike men, women are more likely to experience other symptoms along with chest pain. Such symptoms are varied and range from severe to relatively unnoticed.

Never ignore any potential signs of a heart attack. You are better off playing it safe than sorry, especially when it comes to heart-related ailments or diseases.

Heart Attack Signs in Women

If you experience any of the following signs of a heart attack, immediately call 911 or get to a hospital.

• An uncomfortable pressure or pain emanating from the chest, including a feeling of squeezing, fullness, or a sharp jolt of pain in the center. If the pain lasts for a few minutes, retreats, then returns, it is likely indicative of a heart attack.
• Pain or discomfort found in one or both of the arms, back, neck, jaw, or the stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without any chest pain or discomfort.
• Other common signs, such as cold sweat, vomiting, nausea, or lightheadedness.

Like with men, women tend to experience chest pain or discomfort as the number one sign of an impending heart attack. However, women are more likely to also experience shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.

Unusual Fatigue

In many women, another common but often overlooked sign of an impending heart attack is unusual fatigue. Like most people, you may find yourself constantly running around or busy throughout the day.

If the fatigue is new or sudden, it could indicate a heart attack. Here are signs to watch for when dealing with unusual fatigue:

• You feel suddenly tired or worn out after an average workout routine.
• You are not overexerting yourself but feel extremely tired or have a “heavy” feeling in your chest.
• A simple, everyday task, like walking to the kitchen each morning, now makes you overly tired and exhausted.
• You feel tired but cannot sleep very well despite the fatigue.

These fatigue signs may come and go, which makes narrowing down the cause quite difficult. If you are suddenly more exhausted than ever before, it is time to visit a heart specialist. The chances of finding a problem with your heart are relatively high, especially if you are older, smoke cigarettes, or are overweight.

Contact Brookhaven Heart to schedule a heart consultation with our doctors. You can reach us at 631-654-3278!