Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
Women have different heart attack symptoms than men. Learn what signs and symptoms women experience when having a heart attack.
Signs and symptoms of heart disease in women
Women tend to pay more attention to others’ health needs than their own. But it’s important to know the facts about heart health in women and to act on that knowledge.
Studies show that women’s heart attack symptoms are often misidentified as anxiety or other health problems. Even without heart disease in your family, you may be at risk.
Heart Attack Symptoms in Men
During heart attacks, men typically report chest pain, which may spread to the neck, shoulder or jaw. They also develop:
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
Women also reported chest pain with a heart attack. But a study of more than 500 women who survived heart attacks, also experienced the following symptoms:
- Aching
- Tightness
- Pressure
- Sharpness
- Burning
- Fullness
- Tingling
A whopping 78 percent of the women reported having one or more of the following symptoms for over a month before their heart attack:
- Unusual fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Shortness of breath
- Indigestion
- Anxiety
The take-home message: Know your own body. Pay attention to any symptoms that are out of the ordinary. And don’t be afraid to seek help.