Ask the Doctor: Are heart attack symptoms different for a female?

By Staff Reports

Men and women often have some of the same signs of a heart attack. Some of them are: Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of the chest, which may spread to the neck, shoulder or jaw, or chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath;

Often times, women don’t have chest pain. Research has shown that as many as 43% of women will not experience chest pains when having a heart attack. Tightness in the chest does not always mean a heart attack but it is still important to have it checked out by a physician immediately.

Common female heart attack symptoms are shortness of breath, weakness, unusual fatigue, nausea, dizziness, lower chest discomfort, upper abdominal pressure or discomfort that may feel like indigestion or back pain.

In the weeks preceding an actual heart attack, some of these symptoms may even appear as early warning signs. These may be an early sign of a blocked artery. Symptoms that come on suddenly without provocation such as fatigue or shortness of breath need to be taken seriously.

Other things to consider are do you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type 2 diabetes? These are not indications that you are having a heart attack but you should be evaluated by your physician and discuss early warning signs of heart disease. Prevention is a key component in cardiac health.

If you believe you’re having heart attack symptoms, dial 911 right away for an ambulance to take you to the emergency room. Wait no more than 5 minutes. Do not attempt to drive yourself. A big advantage to calling 911 is emergency medical personnel can start treatment, such as oxygen, heart medication, and pain relievers, as soon as they arrive.

For information on heart attack symptoms, call 1-800-888-5551.

*Submit questions to doctor@starhq.com or write to “Doctor “c/o Elizabeth-ton Star, 300 Sycamore St., Elizabethton, TN 37643