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What Heart Attacks Look Like in Women
August 30, 2024
When most people think of a heart attack, chest pain is the first symptom that comes to mind. But for nearly half of women, heart attacks don’t start with chest pain at all.
We asked Stephanie J. Saucier, MD, the director of the Women’s Heart Wellness Program at Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute, what women need to know about heart attacks to protect themselves.
What heart attacks look like in women.
Women having a heart attack report a mix of different symptoms, which can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or gastrointestinal upset
- Extreme fatigue
- Jaw pain
- Decreased exercise tolerance
Chest pain is still important to watch out for, but women experience it a little differently.
“For instance, rather than using the word ‘pain,’ women might describe a sensation of discomfort in their chest,” says Dr. Saucier.
Heart attack symptoms may be all of a sudden, or stretched out over a longer period of time.
“Women tend to have more intermittent symptoms that can come and go over days or even weeks, rather than a single intense episode,” adds Dr. Saucier.
> Related: 5 Signs You Might Need a Cardiologist
Women have worse outcomes after a heart attack than men.
In addition to experiencing surprising heart attack symptoms, women have other risk factors that result in worse outcomes.
“Women have unique risk factors for heart disease that are not often acknowledged,” explains Dr. Saucier. “These include conditions like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and premature menopause.”
Dr. Saucier also points out other contributing factors, including:
- A gap in care exists in the treatment of women with heart disease.
- Women are less likely to be prescribed preventive medications, like statins, and often receive less aggressive evaluations and management than men.
- On average, women tend to develop heart disease later in life compared to men, which results in worse outcomes. However, there’s a concerning rise in heart disease among younger women.
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When to see a doctor (or call 911).
It’s important to seek medical care if you’re experiencing any symptoms.
“Women are more likely to downplay their symptoms and are statistically less likely to call 911 if they think they’re having a heart attack compared to men,” explains Dr. Saucier. “Once the heart muscle dies, the symptoms may fade, leaving patients with the residual effects of a ‘silent’ heart attack.”
The best advice is to call 911
“Call 911 immediately. Don’t wait it out or wait for your doctor,” urges Dr. Saucier. “This is how to get the most rapid and accurate care.”
How women can advocate for their heart health.
Taking control of your heart health is crucial. Dr. Saucier offers these tips to help you get started:
- Know your risk factors and work with your doctor to manage them.
- Don’t overlook family history or genetic risks like high cholesterol.
- Never ignore symptoms, even if they seem minor.
“When you understand your risk and recognize symptoms, you can advocate for your care and get the right treatment quickly,” says Dr. Saucier.
“Knowledge is power. The more we spread awareness, the better we can save women’s lives.”