The Subtle Heart Attack Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore

You may think the signs of a heart attack are unmistakable. After all, symptoms like severe chest pain and shortness of breath are hard to miss. But heart attack clues can sometimes be subtle, and they’re not always the same, especially in women.

When it comes to your health, knowledge is power, and that certainly extends to your heart health. When you know what heart attack symptoms to look for as a woman, you can spot them more easily and ensure you get the care you need when you need it.

Why Heart Attacks in Women are Especially Dangerous

A heart attack happens when the blood that brings oxygen to the heart is either severely reduced or completely cut off. This happens when the arteries that supply blood to the heart gradually narrow, most commonly due to the buildup of fat and cholesterol.

According to the Office on Women’s Health, women are more likely than men to die after a heart attack. Yet women don’t always seek treatment for heart attack symptoms. In fact, studies have shown that women under age 55, in particular, are less likely to seek care for a heart attack. And one specific study identified the three main obstacles to women getting immediate care as:

• Attributing symptoms to another, less serious condition, like the flu
• Believing they’re too young to have a heart attack
• Experiencing uncommon symptoms that last more than one day

Women are also more likely to think their symptoms are just anxiety, especially because chest pain and discomfort caused by a heart attack usually show up after something stressful — whether the stress is physical or emotional.

Signs of a Heart Attack in Women

“Traditional” heart attack symptoms are often described as:

• Chest pain, discomfort or pressure
• Discomfort in other parts of the upper body, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Nausea, lightheadedness or breaking out in a cold sweat
• Shortness of breath

Although chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom in both men and women, women are more likely to have other symptoms, as well — symptoms that are less commonly associated with a heart attack, such as:

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Unusual fatigue or exhaustion
• Upper back pain that travels up into the jaw

Also, heart attack symptoms like shortness of breath and nausea are more common in women than in men, according to the Office of Women’s Health.

Heart Attack Risk Factors for Women

In addition to knowing what a heart attack feels like for women, it’s important to know if you have risk factors for heart disease.

Common heart disease risk factors for women include:

• Certain lifestyle choices, like a poor diet and physical inactivity
• Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) and rheumatoid arthritis
• Lower levels of estrogen after menopause
• Pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension or preeclampsia
• Smoking

It’s important to prioritize annual checkups with a primary care or family physician, and to schedule tests that look for signs of heart disease, such as cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure screenings.

Don’t Wait on Your Heart Care

If you’re not sure if you’re having a heart attack, you should always trust your gut. If something feels wrong or off in your body, or you notice new or unexpected symptoms, consider it a warning sign.

Remember that crushing chest pain and other classic heart attack symptoms aren’t the only indicators — and if you’re a woman, you may not experience them at all.

Also, keep in mind that seeking immediate care for a heart attack is critical. Once your heart’s oxygen supply is blocked, it causes cells to die and permanent damage to the heart muscle. The sooner the blocked artery is cleared and blood flow is restored, the better the chances are for a positive outcome.

At AdventHealth for Women, our team of heart experts has experience identifying and diagnosing heart attacks. We work in collaboration with the AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute to provide women with the best in cardiac care.