We've all heard of the classic heart attack symptoms like pressure on the chest or pain in the arm but for women, some heart attack symptoms may not be as obvious as one would think.
Subtle symptoms of a heart attack may trick women into thinking that they're experiencing conditions far less serious. According to the American Heart Association, these symptoms lead many women to believe that they're simply experiencing acid reflux, the flu or even just aging.
Furthermore, some women don't experience chest pressure at all while having a heart attack. One-third of heart attack patients had absolutely no chest pain. Women are ignoring the other symptoms because they don't believe they're having a heart attack. But the symptoms aren't always the same for everyone.
Would you know if you're having a heart attack?
Call 911 and get to a hospital immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Uncomfortable pressure or squeezing in the center of your chest lasting longer than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
- Pain in one or both arms, your back, neck, jaw or stomach
- Shortness of breath whether your have chest pain along with it or not
- Breaking out into a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
- Sleep issues, fatigue or a lack of energy
And, if you've already experienced a heart attack, don't rely on your symptoms being the same if you have another one.
Are you at risk?
If you or someone you know is experiencing chest pain symptoms, call 911 or find the nearest Accredited Chest Pain Center.
To find a doctor or speak to a nurse, call Consult-A-Nurse® at (951) 788-3463, 24 hours a day.
For more information, visit Heart Care Institute.
Sources: Heart.org, NHLBI.NIH.gov