6 Symptoms of Women's Heart Attacks

When a heart attack strikes, it doesn’t always feel the same in 

women as it does in men.

Women don't always get the same classic heart attack 

symptoms as men, such as crushing chest pain that radiates 

down one arm. Those heart attack symptoms can certainly 

happen to women, but  many experience vague or even “silent” 

symptoms that they may miss.

These six heart attack symptoms are common in women

1)Chest pain or discomfort. 

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. It's usually "truly 

uncomfortable" during a heart attack, says cardiologist. It feels

 like a vise being tightened.

2) Pain in your arm(s), back, neck, or jaw.

 This type of pain is more common in women than in men. It 

may confuse women who expect their pain to be focused on 

their chest and left arm, not their back or jaw. The pain can be 

gradual or sudden, and it may wax and wane before becoming 

intense. If you're asleep, it may wake you up. You should report 

any "not typical or unexplained" symptoms in any part of your 

body above your waist to your doctor or other health care 

provider, says cardiologist.

3) Stomach pain.

 Sometimes people mistake stomach pain that signals a heart 

attack with heartburn, the flu, or a stomach ulcer. Other times, 

women experience severe abdominal pressure that feels like 

an elephant sitting on your stomach, says cardiologist..

4) Shortness of breath, nausea, or light-headedness. 

If you're having trouble breathing for no apparent reason, you 

could be having a heart attack, especially if you're also having 

one or more other symptoms. It can feel like you have run a 

marathon, but you didn't make a move.

5) Sweating.

 Breaking out in a nervous, cold sweat is common among 

women who are having a heart attack. It will feel more like 

stress-related sweating than perspiration from exercising or 

spending time outside in the heat. "Get it checked out" if you 

don't typically sweat like that and there is no other reason for it, 

such as heat or hot flashes.

6) Fatigue. 

Some women who have heart attacks feel extremely tired, even 

if they've been sitting still for a while or haven't moved much. 

Patients often complain of a tiredness in the chest. They say 

that they can't do simple activities, like walk to the bathroom.

Not everyone gets all of those symptoms. If you have chest 

discomfort, especially if you also have one or more of the other

 signs, call the hospital or your Dr. immediately.

What NOT to Do

If you feel heart attack symptoms:

1) Don’t delay getting help. 

Women generally wait longer than men before going to the 

emergency room, says  a cardiologist. Even if you think your 

symptoms aren’t that bad or will pass, the stakes are too high.

2) Don't drive yourself to the hospital.

 You need an ambulance. If you drive, you could have a wreck 

on the way and possibly hurt yourself or someone else.

3) Don’t have a friend or relative drive you, either. 

You may not get there fast enough.

Don’t dismiss what you feel. "Don't worry about feeling silly if 

you're wrong. You have to get it checked out right away.  

People don't want to spend hours in an emergency room if it

 isn't a heart attack,says a Dr.. But women are actually good at 

deciding what is typical for themselves and when to seek health

care.