If something went wrong with your heart, would you recognize it? Most probably not, because not all heart problems come with obvious alarms and reminders. So what are the early signs and symptoms of a heart attack in women? Heart attack is now the leading cause of death in women, and it is 16 times more common than breast cancer. Not only this, young women are at greater risk than old ones.
There is not always a startling chest clasp followed by a fall to the ground as you watch in films. Some heart symptoms don’t even occur in your chest, and it’s not often simple to say what’s going on. A survey stated that the number of heart medication users was higher among women and was reckoned to be 1.2 million during 2008-2020.
Knowing Early Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women Can Help
A heart attack is a life-threatening event, and it is caused by a disturbance and disruption in your normal blood flow to the heart. If you know the early symptoms of a heart attack, it may save your life. Realizing the female-specific signs can help you get medical attention in time.
Do you know that women are less likely to endure their first heart attack than men? One of the main reasons for this can be because the early symptoms and signs are not the same and differ between both the sexes. Women usually suffer from silent heart attacks and show unusual indications.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women
What are the signs of a heart attack in females? Although symptoms like chest tightness and upper body pain are more evident and noticeable, these are not all. Heart attack poses a host of symptoms that can be effortlessly misunderstood for another disease or illness.
The latest research forecasted the incidence of heart failure, and it was found that among 45 plus years old, there were over 800,000 incident cases of heart failure in the U.S. This number is expected to grow to over one million by 2025.
Therefore, identifying the signs and symptoms of a heart attack in women and investigating it on time can be the difference between life and death. Let’s see the most common signs of a heart attack in females.
Chest Pressure Pain
If you are having discomfort in your heart and feeling uncomfortable and uncontrollable chest pressure pain in your heart, it can be a heart attack, and it is one of the first symptoms of a heart attack.
The waves of discomfort, pain, and pressure in the heart can last for more or less than a few minutes. However, you may or may not always experience chest pain on the left side above the breast and discomfort.
Pain in Different Parts of Body
Body aches with no fever can also be an early sign of heart attack in women. Do you know that heart attack pain can occur in other body areas? Yes, a heart attack can also cause aches in the neck, back, jaw, stomach, or upper body parts.
The blocked arteries can trigger heart nerves to indicate that something is wrong. The body pain, specifically the upper body pain, is usually non-specific. It begins in one part of the body and slowly dissipates to others. Mostly, it starts all of a sudden.
Dizziness with Nausea
There can be several reasons if you feel dizziness upon standing or dizziness after waking up. Yes, it is an early indication of a heart attack. However, it should not be confused with it all the time.
Many things can make you dizzy, for instance, not drinking sufficient water, forgetting lunch, or standing up too quickly. However, if you are feeling dizzy and are also facing shortness of breath, vomiting, or nausea, go to your doctor asap. It is an indication that a heart attack could be on its way.
Fatigue Nausea Headache
Are you feeling tired or exhausted even without doing any physical exertion? If you feel worn out after a sleepless night or a stressful day, don’t worry, it’s pretty standard. However, unusual fatigue is not normal, and women feel fatigued before having a heart attack.
If you suddenly feel drained or exhausted after climbing the stairs or other effortless things like carrying your groceries, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
If fatigue is accompanied by nausea and headache, don’t take it lightly. Extreme tiredness or unexplained weariness can indicate a heart attack in females.
Excessive Sweating
Do you know that excessive sweating without any real standard reason is not a sign to ignore? If you feel cold and soggy and struggle with excessive sweating, it signals a heart attack.
Remember that excessive sweating and perspiration after menopause or extensive exercise are not typical. Your brain puts your body in survival mode during fight or flight response, and thus sweating is a response.
Females need to seek medical help if they are experiencing any of the signs mentioned earlier and symptoms of a heart attack in women. A heart attack is fatal and can never be neglected, even for a short time, no matter how mild or severe the symptoms are,
Who is at Risk for a Heart Attack?
Heart attacks are deadly and equally bad for both men and women. However, women have a higher risk of death and receive fewer heart diseases than men.
Age is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. It was a prenotion that older women are more prone in terms because due to menopause, their hormone levels get changed. However, the latest studies show that this is not the case.
Family History is another important risk factor; you should consult your doctor if you have a family history of diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks. Not only this, this risk is substantially higher in women.
Take good care of yourself and keep an eye on markers like high blood pressure, cholesterol, overweight, PCOS, and autoimmune diseases. These are risk factors for heart attack in females. Stay away from using tobacco or other stimulant drugs. Don’t be a couch potato, and avoid being sedentary. Try not to overthink and take less stress. Protect your heart.
When is the Right Time to See A Doctor?
For regular check-ups, everyone should visit doctors frequently. However, older women of age 40 and above should consult doctors regularly. It helps identify risk factors of a heart attack in females, and early intervention decreases the likelihood of a cardiac arrest.
If you are facing any of the signs and symptoms like:
Unusual fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, body aches, and excessive sweating, rush to your doctor. He will monitor your heartbeat, blood pressure, pulse, and other vitals. A doctor may also suggest blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart’s health.
When to Call Emergency Services?
You can’t deny the fact that emergency treatment can save lives. If you or anyone in your surroundings suspects any of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack in women, you should call emergency services without wasting any time. Call an ambulance if the characters are persistent and not going away quickly.
Tips for Heart Health
- Make regular health check-ups your priority and never miss them
- Take extra care of your health and manage your health care
- Say No to Tobacco and quit smoking
- If you are obese and are overweight, it’s recommended to lose weight
- Do exercise at least half an hour each day, add some aerobic activities into your routine.
- A balanced diet is vital. Eat on time and eat good and healthy food only.
- Sleep well on time. Don’t spend sleepless nights and stick hard to your sleeping schedule.
Final Words
A heart attack is a potent and fatal medical condition that demands quick action in time. Women are more inclined to cardiovascular diseases than men, and they also display various signs and symptoms than men, and their risk factors vary.
However, timely detection of cardiovascular diseases can reduce the chance of heart failure and heart attack. Moreover, it is imperative to spread awareness of the early signs and symptoms. People, especially women, should take good care of their hearts, keep a strict eye on early symptoms, causes, and treatment of heart diseases.
We are wishing you a happy and healthy heart!
