By Dr. Francis O’Neill
Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists
Heart attacks seldom resemble the dramatic scenes we often see in movies, which usually involve someone clutching at their chest in severe pain. Although chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, these scenarios are misleading, especially for women.
Signs of heart attacks in women can be much more subtle, and knowing what to look for could save your life or the life of someone you love.
Women are more likely than men to have other signs of a heart attack, including:
- Breaking out in a cold sweat;
- Fatigue, weakness or extreme tiredness;
- Heartburn;
- Indigestion;
- Lightheadedness;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Pain or discomfort in the back, jaw, neck, one or both arms, stomach, or throat;
- Shortness of breath;
- A sensation of squeezing or fullness in the center of the chest; and/or
- Toothache.
Heart attack symptoms in women certainly can be much more generalized or subtle in nature. As a result, women often tend to ignore or minimize the warning signs and can even confuse them with other conditions, such as a flu-like illness, anxiety or acid reflux.
Another key sign to note aside from the symptoms themselves is specifically when the symptoms occur. If the symptoms seem to happen during physical activity or exertion, this is a hallmark sign to be taken seriously.
Women are also more likely than men to have a heart attack without any noticeable symptoms. This is called a “silent heart attack.”
If you have a silent heart attack, you may not know about it until weeks or months later. Often, signs of a silent heart attack are found during an electrocardiogram, a test to measure electrical activity in the heart, used to diagnose heart issues. Although you’re unlikely to seek care during a silent heart attack, you can lower your risk of having one by knowing your risk factors for developing heart disease or having a full-blown heart attack.
Coronary artery disease is a leading risk factor for heart attacks, and the things that put you at risk for coronary artery disease and heart attacks are the same for women and men. Those include:
- Being overweight or obese;
- Chronic kidney disease;
- Depression;
- Diabetes;
- Family history of heart disease;
- High blood pressure;
- High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol;
- High stress levels;
- Lack of exercise;
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions;
- Smoking/Tobacco use; and
- An unhealthy diet.
Other risk factors specific to women include:
- First menstrual period before age 11;
- Gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy;
- Having a baby with a high or low birth weight;
- Heart issues during pregnancy;
- Menopause before age 40;
- Polycystic ovary syndrome; and
- Preterm delivery.
Having risk factors for a heart attack does not mean you will have one. Still, making heart-healthy choices is always a good idea, particularly if you have risk factors that you can’t change, such as your family history.
In addition, it’s essential for women to have an annual physical exam with a blood pressure check and, ideally, an EKG. Regular blood tests for blood sugar and cholesterol levels are also crucial, depending on your family history and personal risk factors. Along with blood pressure readings, these numbers can give you and your doctor clues about your heart health. You can also work together to lower your risk for coronary artery disease and other forms of heart disease.
One amazing way to help you and your doctor tease out underlying symptoms and risk factors is with regular exercise. Not only is cardiovascular exercise heart-healthy, it can be your daily barometer for your health. If your daily three-mile one morning becomes impossible due to any of the above symptoms, this can be a big problem!
When to get help
Recognizing the subtle yet crucial signs of a heart attack in women is paramount for maintaining heart health. From mild discomfort to unusual fatigue, often-overlooked symptoms can indicate a serious underlying issue.
Regular check-ups, a heart-healthy lifestyle and awareness of your body’s signals can make a big difference in ensuring a heart attack-free future.
If you or someone you know is experiencing heart attack symptoms, don’t delay. Call 911 and seek emergency care.
Francis O’Neill, M.D., is an interventional cardiologist with Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists in Beaufort and Okatie and is board-certified in internal medicine and fellowship-trained in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology.
