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Are you a woman? You should know that research has found that heart attack symptoms in women are significantly different than symptoms in men. In fact, a study by the National Institute of Health found that less than 30 percent of women who have suffered heart attacks felt chest pain before their attack, and 43 percent said that they had no pain during any stage of the attack.
No Pain. Now what?
If the number one heart attack symptom that people are told to look out for, crushing pain in the chest, isn't felt by nearly half of women with heart attacks, what symptoms should you be on the watch for?
According to the NIH study, the most common early warning heart attack symptoms in women are:
- Unusual fatigue, reported by over 70 percent
- sleep disturbance, reported by nearly 50 percent
- Shortness of breath, reported by over 40 percent
It may be a little disconcerting to hear that such common, run-of-the-mill symptoms could actually be indicating a heart attack in process. After all, what woman hasn't had a sleepless night or felt completely exhausted from time to time?
Other warning signs commonly experienced by women include indigestion, anxiety and weakness in the arms. Again, common everyday symptoms that may signify a serious, potentially fatal condition.
During an AttackDuring the actual heart attack, women in the study reported the following symptoms most frequently:
- Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- Weakness
- Unusual level of fatigue
- Cold sweat
- Dizziness
Many women felt the warning signs for up to a month before actually experiencing a heart attack. If you have been feeling more worn out than usual, have difficulty catching your breath or have been tossing and turning at night, it's worth being checked out by your doctor. If the doctor dismisses your concerns and refuses to check out your heart, get a second opinion -- and consider finding another doctor!
While the symptoms women often experience during a heart attack mimic an anxiety or panic attack, take them seriously. Don't let embarrassment keep you from calling 911 or going to the emergency room. It's not worth it to be the woman who died of embarrassment.
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Symptoms of Women's Heart Attacks?
Women who have heart attack symptoms are often misdiagnosed because the symptoms of a woman's heart attack are very different than those of a man. Many people, including women and their doctors, consider chest pain to be the main sign of a heart attack. While chest pain is a common sign of a heart attack for men, women do not necessarily feel this pain when they are having a heart attack.Common Female Heart Attack SymptomsThough women experience different symptoms than men, a heart attack is equally life threatening in men and women. Unfortunately, when women's symptoms are not recognized as signs of a heart attack, the condition can be even more dangerous. While symptoms differ between men and women, there are commonalities in heart attack symptoms among women. Some of the common signs of a heart attack in a woman include:
Is it true that symptoms of a heart attack are different for women than men?
Yes, this is true. Heart attack symptoms in women are often manifested as indigestion type symptoms. For example, a heart attack can be mistaken for acid reflux or nausea.
Where can I find an article that describes major heart attack symptoms in women?
Women can have symptoms of an impending heart attack for up to a month before the actual event. Mild symptoms such as heartburn,sleep disturbances, or weakness in the arms,are things that we can have on a daily basis,can be warning signals for a heart attack. www.heart-attack-symptoms.com/heart-attack-symptoms-in-women... www.webmd.com usgovinfo.about.com/cs/healthmedical/a/womensami.htm
What are some symptoms of an upcoming heart attack in women?
There are several symptoms of an upcoming heart attack in women. Some of these include chest pain or discomfort, stomach pain, shortness of breath, and extreme sweating.
Do women have any heart attack symptoms that are different to those shown by men?
Women do not have different heart attack symptoms than men. The symptoms would be sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, arm pain, and sometimes jaw pain.
What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack in men?
The symptoms of a heart attack are the same for men and women. They are; chest pain, sweating, and pain radiating down the left arm.The website for the American Heart Association is a great place to find a list of heart attack symptoms in men. Some symptoms are discomfort in the chest and shortness of breath. This website also has symptoms of stroke.
Are there female heart attach symptoms that are not common in men?
Heart attack symtoms can be very different in women then they are in men. For instance most women do not suffer chest pain. Women tend to experience indigestion,sleep disturbance and weakness in the arms.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack in women?
The symptoms of a heart attack include shortness of breath, lightheadedness, a feeling of heavy pressure, especially in the chest, limbs or at the back. Vomiting and nausea may also occur.
What are symptoms of a women's heart attack?
The smell of burnt toast is a signal of a heart attack. If you aren't cooking toast and smell this, you should be worried. Sometimes after a heart attack you can lose function of body parts.
Women Must Be Their Own Advocates Regarding The Health Of Their Hearts ?
Heart attack symptoms that occur in women are often different than what men experience. For example, a Milwaukee woman reported that she unexpectedly broke into a cold sweat, her heart began racing and she became dizzy. She didn't realize that she was having a heart attack and neither did the hospital due to her history of consistent workouts and lack of prior heart problems. Additional Symptoms Other heart attack symptoms in women include unusual tiredness along with nausea or vomiting. These symptoms can be a signal that a portion of their heart muscle is dying and this can kill them.
What are some heat attack symptoms for women?
Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, but some women may experience it differently than men. It may feel like a squeezing or fullness , and the pain can be anywhere in the chest, not just on the left side
How do heart attack symptoms differ between men and women?
Some symptoms are chest discomfort or pain, upper body pain and shortness of breath. Women can get additional symptoms such as sweating, Nausea or vomiting and Lightheadedness or dizziness. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-attack-symptoms/HB00054
