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Early Symptoms of Heart Attacks for Women

Heart disease claims more lives in the United States than any other cause of death. Women are at greater risk than men, according to the American Heart Association. Early symptoms of heart attacks for women can differ from those experienced by men. Knowing the signs is critical. Medical attention within the first hour after the heart attack occurs greatly improves the chance of survival and may lessen damage sustained by the heart muscle.

  1. Upper Body Discomfort

    • Chest pain is a classic symptom of a heart attack. In women, this is sometimes experienced as mild discomfort rather than excruciating pain, or it may feel like squeezing or pressure in the chest, or pain between the shoulder blades. The Mayo Clinic warns that women more than men may notice pain, discomfort or pressure in the jaw, neck, shoulders or abdominal area.

    Other Symptoms in Women

    • Both men and women can experience any of these symptoms of heart attack, but some are more likely in women; nausea, vomiting, gas-like pain and heartburn. Women also report feelings of fatigue and weakness, light-headedness and dizziness prior to having a heart attack. Some women experience panic, described as a sense of impending doom. Women are more likely than men to dismiss these early warning signs as the effects of stress and lifestyle.

    Prodromal Symptoms

    • Early, or prodromal, symptoms of heart attack for women are sometimes present for weeks or even months, according to RealAge.com. The website reports that 71 percent of women experience atypical fatigue, 48 percent experience difficulty sleeping and 42 percent report shortness of breath. Also, 30 percent to 39 percent had chest discomfort, anxiety symptoms and indigestion prior to the heart attack. Any or all of these symptoms can be attributed to a number of causes, but in combination in women at risk for heart attack, these early warning signs merit medical attention.

    Special Risk Factors

    • Early symptoms of heart attacks for women should be given serious consideration in high-risk groups, which include women over 40, women who smoke, women with a family history of heart disease, and women who are overweight, sedentary, or those who take birth control pills.

    Warning

    • All women, and especially those with greater risk factors, should educate themselves about the warning signs and symptoms of heart attack. If you are experiencing any of the early symptoms, see your physician as soon as possible. If you think you are having a heart attack, call your local emergency medical services provider immediately. Survival is more likely when treatment begins within the first hour after symptoms appear, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

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