Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Signs & Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women

Would you know how to identify heart attack symptoms in women?

Why Women Need to be Aware of Heart Disease

• Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year
• A greater percentage of women die within one year of a heart attack than men
• The death rate of African-American women due to cardiovascular disease is greater than white women
• Diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease
• Nearly two-thirds of deaths from heart attacks in women occur among those who have no history of chest pain
• 8 million American women are currently living with heart disease; 85,000 are under the age of 65

What are heart attack symptoms for women?

The most common heart attack symptom in women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But it’s not always severe or even the most prominent symptom, particularly in women. And, sometimes, women may have a heart attack without chest pains. Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as:

• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or abdominal discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Right or Left arm pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue

What to do during a heart attack?

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.

For more information on what causes heart disease, contact a cardiologist today.