The American Heart Association estimates that over 500,000 women suffer a new or recurring heart attack each year. Women can experience different heart attack symptoms than men and may feel milder, less noticeable signs of heart trouble. Women’s heart attack symptoms may begin days before a cardiac event happens; signaling trouble ahead. Women who experience new or unusual symptoms, or any combination of symptoms, should seek medical care to evaluate cardiac health.
Fatigue
Women commonly experience sudden, new feelings of overwhelming fatigue during a heart attack. Yale-New Haven Medical Center states that women can experience extreme fatigue, which becomes severe enough to interfere with everyday living, often days before a cardiac event occurs. Insomnia, or trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep, may accompany fatigue, making it hard for a woman to distinguish these symptoms as cardiac related. However, a woman with persistent, unexplainable fatigue–with or without sleep disturbance and other symptoms–should seek medical evaluation.
Chest Discomfort
Chest pain is a well-recognized symptom of heart attack, however it may present differently in women experiencing a cardiac event. Chest discomfort may present as a heavy feeling on the chest, or as a stabbing, nagging pain. Women may also feel pain or discomfort in the upper back, in the jaw, neck or shoulders. Discomfort in these areas may start slowly and progressively get worse. Rest and activity generally do not make symptoms go away during a cardiac event. However, Family Doctor.org reports that one third of women do not experience chest pain during a heart attack, which makes recognizing additional warning signs important.
Trouble Breathing
During a heart attack, the heart becomes stressed and becomes unable to pump blood normally. Pressure can build inside the chest as a result, which can affect the lungs. Women may experience mild shortness of breath, which increases over time. Normal activities, such as walking or cleaning, may prompt shortness of breath or the feeling of not being able to inhale enough air. This symptom can begin slowly, or may happen suddenly, and become severe and will not get better with rest.
Other Symptoms
Like men, women can experience typical heart attack symptoms, such as sudden sweating, dizziness and rapid heartbeat. However, women should also become aware of additional symptoms such as sudden, persistent indigestion with or without nausea, insomnia or a general sensation of not feeling well. Additionally, The Women’s Heart Foundation states women may have feelings of impending doom, or increasing panic in conjunction with other heart attack symptoms, as well.
About this Author
Based in Wisconsin, Elizabeth Otto is a licensed emergency medical technician-intermediate with 10 years of experience in the field and holds an Associate of Science degree in medical assisting from Commonwealth College. She has worked as clinical assistant in family health and emergency medicine since 1995. Otto is a copywriter, and freelance writer for LIVESTRONG.com.
