Heart Attack Warning Signs For Women

Heart attacks (myocardial infarction- MI) strike differently in both men and women. The signs in women are not the usual ones seen among men, such as chest pain, et al. The symptoms in women are far more subtle and often overlooked until it’s too late. This blog aims to discuss the MI red flags for women so they can take timely action without delay.

Difficulty breathing- This is a major symptom of heart attack if you are a woman. You may experience shortness of breath all of a sudden and without any prior intimation for no obvious reason. You could experience it at rest, even when you haven’t indulged in any form of physical activity.

Exhaustion- You may feel extremely tired even when you’ve received adequate sleep and have been eating correct. This could be MI sign that can zap you of energy.

Sharp upper body pain- While men may feel tremendous pressure on their chest, MIs in women often lead to sharp pain in the upper body, such as neck, upper arms, or jaw. The pain can be so excruciating that it can rouse you from your sleep.

Rapid heart rate- A woman having a heart attack will experience rapid heart rate with feelings of anxiety and profuse sweat. Take action right away even if you think it is an anxiety attack.

Stomach cramps- Women should not ignore abdominal pain. It’s vital to not brush this sign aside since it could result in a heart attack for unsuspecting women. Even if you shrug it off as heartburn, seek medical help right away as it could be a more serious heart issue.

Profuse sweating- You could suddenly break out into heavy perspiration for no apparent reason. Do not take it lightly or shrug it off as a hot flash as it could be a sign of an impending heart attack.

Problem sleeping- Sleep apnea can happen when a woman has a heart attack where she might wake up from sound sleep gasping for breath. Beware and be careful.

Jaw pain- As already mentioned, pain in the upper body parts is common including pain in the jaw. Jaw pain is a sure-shot heart attack sign in women. People often make light of this symptom associated with the ticker due to the fact that the jaw isn’t located in the chest.

Chest pain- In contrast to the crushing chest pain experienced by men when they experience an episode of MI, chest pain is less severe in women. But we cannot rule out its occurrence leading up to and during MI.

Nausea- There could be many reasons behind someone experiencing nausea. However, you may as well experience it a few days prior to a heart attack. So watch out for this sign and bring it to the notice of your doctor.

Dial 911 right away at the onset of these symptoms. Do not think twice before taking action. 

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