The sudden death of actress and writer Carrie Fisher has focused attention on women’s heart health issues. For example, did you know that the signs and symptoms of heart attack differ depending on whether you’re a man or a woman?
“Women often present with chest discomfort, but they’re more likely to describe their symptoms as being ‘mild,'” said Dr. Heather Swales, director of the Women’s Heart Wellness Program at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. “Women often have more ‘non-specific symptoms,’ such as fatigue, nausea, sweating or shortness of breath.”
One well-known symptom of a heart attack — pain radiating down the left arm — may not happen when a woman experiences cardiac arrest.
“They may experience pain radiating into their jaw or back as opposed to into their left arm like men more classically do,” said Dr. Swales.
Here are heart-attack signs and symptoms from the American Heart Association/Go Red For Women that all women (and the men who love them) should know:
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
- Cold sweat
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
If you experience any of these signs or symptoms:
- Do not wait to call for help. Dial 9-1-1, make sure to follow the operator’s instructions and get to a hospital right away.
- Do not drive yourself or have someone drive you to the hospital unless you have no other choice.
- Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for the emergency responders.