Heart attack symptoms in women aren’t always obvious or the same as in men. Not all women have chest pain or discomfort. Sometimes, the only symptoms are shortness of breath, nausea, shoulder pain, weakness and fatigue. Or women may just experience a cold sweat and dizziness. However, some women do experience chest pain so it’s important to pay attention to that symptom.
These variations in symptoms are why heart attacks can be difficult to diagnose in women. But if you think you may be having a heart attack, don’t dismiss your instincts. Seek prompt medical attention.
Symptoms to act on
Men and women can have any of these “classic” heart attack symptoms:
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea.
- A feeling of indigestion.
Women may also experience these symptoms:
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Did You Know?
Nearly two-thirds of the women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. |
- Unusual chest pain, stomach or abdominal pain
- Vomiting or dizziness
- Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
- Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness
What to do if you experience symptoms
- Call 9-1-1 right away rather than driving yourself to the hospital. Driving is dangerous because you could experience worsening symptoms or even black out on the way.
- The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team can begin treatment right away when it arrives — much sooner than it would if you arrived at the hospital by car. Newer treatments can stop a heart attack in its tracks if given soon enough.
- The EMS team is also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped, which saves hundreds of lives each year.
- By arriving by ambulance, you’ll also get faster treatment once you reach the hospital.
Speak up to save your life
Sometimes heart attack symptoms are not clear, or they are clustered differently, or may feel like indigestion or anxiety. If you find yourself in an ambulance or emergency room, don’t be afraid to say “I think I’m having a heart attack.” You want a proper diagnosis, and a blood test and EKG are the starting points. Speaking up could save your life.