Heart Attack Symptoms In Women Are Not What You Expect

When you think of a heart attack, the picture that comes to your mind is probably that of someone clutching their chest or feeling numbness in their left arm. Until recently, doctors expected generally similar symptoms in men and women. But this is not true. In fact, a National Institutes of Health study found that only 30% of 515 women surveyed had chest discomfort of any kind while having a heart attack.

It seems that heart attack symptoms in women can be terribly more subtle – making heart attacks in women very different from the baseline picture of a heart health problem. Since February is US Heart Health Month, here are the heart attack symptoms women need to take seriously.

© Terese Condella / SheKnows

Extreme fatigue

In the NIH study, “unusual fatigue” was reported by 70% of the women in the sample. This fatigue can go back days or weeks before the actual attack.

Sleep disorder

If you don’t sleep well at night, this could be a warning. The NIH found that 48 percent of women reported trouble sleeping as a symptom before their heart attack.

Pain in the back, neck or jaw

Instead of obvious chest pain, we may experience pain in the jaw, neck, or lower or upper back. WebMD notes, “The pain can be gradual or sudden, and it can increase and decrease before it becomes severe. If you sleep, it can wake you up. “

Indigestion

Heart failure can cause abdominal swelling, which can manifest as indigestion, nausea, lack of appetite, and vomiting. In the NIH study, 39% of women reported these symptoms.

Flu-like symptoms

According to the Women’s Heart Foundation, 71% of women report having flu-like symptoms leading to more acute heart attack symptoms.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a way of life for most Americans in today’s society. But if you notice any unusual bouts of stress or feelings of “impending doom,” take a minute to breathe. Your anxiety may be trying to tell you something. Thirty-five percent of the women in the NIH study reported feelings of anxiety during their heart attack.

© Terese Condella

A version of this article was originally published in December 2016.

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