Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Women’s Heart Disease Symptoms

When it comes to heart disease in women, you may be surprised to learn that a greater percentage of women die from heart attacks than men. That is why we feel it is vitally important that people understand women’s heart attack symptoms as well as what are some common symptoms related to heart disease.

Women Heart Disease Facts: 

• One in three deaths among women is attributed to heart disease, making it the number one killer for women
• More women die within one year of a heart attack than men
• African-American women have a greater rate of heart disease than other women
• Diabetes is the greatest risk factor among women for heart disease
• Nearly 2/3 of deaths among women from heart attacks occur among those who have no history of chest pain

Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women 

While you may think you would recognize many symptoms of heart disease and heart attacks, you may be surprised, especially if you rely on medical TV shows. Also, some symptoms for women are different than those for men.
Chest pain or pressure is a very common symptom for both men and women, but only half of women report this as a symptom. So, do not rely only on chest pain as an indication of a potential heart attack.

Women More Likely to Report the Following Symptoms of a Heart Attack

• Neck pain
• Indigestion
• Heartburn (can also feel like fullness or a choking feeling)
• Nausea
• Vomitting
• Extreme fatigue and tiredness
• Problems breathing
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats

Additionally, heart attacks can be upper body discomfort in arms, back, neck, jaw, and the upper part of the stomach. Also, feelings of light headiness and dizziness associated with a heart attack occur more frequently in women than in men.
How to Use this Information 
Bottom line, if you are experiencing some of these symptoms and they seem to be recurring, you will want to consult with your doctor sooner rather than later. Often women do report fatigue spells, shortness of breath and pain in the neck, jaw and back within weeks or a month before an actual heart attack. Call 9-1-1 if you have chest pain or discomfort with any other symptoms, especially if they last for more than five minutes. If you do suffer from heart disease, we do offer an in-depth program that helps reverse heart disease. Call us at 303-344-1065 for more information.
 

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South Denver Cardiology

Randy Cupps Graduated from Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado, in 1983 with a degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. Randy started his medical career in 1980 as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) working on an ambulance and in an emergency room. He then joined South Denver Cardiology in 1986 when it was South Denver Cardiac Rehabilitation as an Exercise Physiologist conducting a wide variety of Graded Exercise Testing on a diverse patient population. Randy continues to keep his EMT current, and he is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. In 2012 Randy acquired the role of business development, marketing, and physician relations manager at SDCA.

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