Heart attacks are the number one cause of death in women. One reason for this may be that symptoms go unrecognized until it is too late. Some of the symptoms of a heart attack in a woman can be different than that of one in a man.
The typical signs of heart attack they have learned to recognize don't match with the symptoms they are having or heart attack has mostly been seen as a "man's" affliction (in spite of statistics stating otherwise); They are too preoccupied with other things - such as running errands, caring for children, or working at their place of employment. Because they don't recognize the symptoms as heart attack, they don't say anything because they don't want to be a bother. The first hour is crucial for preventing irreparable damage to the heart muscle. It is important for women to know the symptoms of a heart attack that may affect them.
Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women:
nausea - Feeling as though one is about to vomit.
anxiety - a "panic" attack, feeling like there is something wrong but not knowing what it is
back pain - between the shoulder blades, this often happening INSTEAD of chest pain.
Chest discomfort - often seen as heartburn or indigestion
dizziness - feeling light - headed, possible fainting
edema - swelling of the feet and ankles from build up of fluids
radiating pressure in the chest
sweating - perspiring excessively for an undetermined reason
heart palpitations or "fluttering"
breathlessness or inability to catch a breath
weakness or fatigue without known cause
Other symptoms reported by women who are having a heart attack:
Pain in the neck
Pain in the jaw - resembling a toothache
A "stomach" ache
Sometimes women don't feel any pain from a heart attack at all. This is called a "silent" heart attack.
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