Cardiovascular disease affects both men and women, especially following they reach adulthood. In countries like the United States and Spain , these diseases have become the main causes of death among women, and are even more important than breast cancer and ovarian cancer. In fact, there are specific symptoms of a heart attack in women.
Heart attacks are characterized by a set of symptoms that let you know you have a serious problem. But when it comes to women, the symptoms of an attack are easy to mix up with other health issues, which can lead to not taking action or even reacting. The Heart & Lung Fund even points out that women don’t tend to take these symptoms seriously.
Risk factors
A heart attack can happen at any time without warning. However, there are certain risk factors that can increase the risk of suffering from this problem at some point in life:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- To smoke
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
Most people who lead healthy lifestyles have a lower risk of having a heart attack. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t less predictable factors, like congenital heart defects, that can lead to a heart attack.
Unusual heart attack symptoms in women
In many cases, the following non-typical symptoms for heart attacks can confuse both the patient and the examining physician. Indeed, many experts admitted that if they saw the same symptoms once more, they probably wouldn’t have come to the conclusion that the problem was a heart attack.
However, in special cases, such as people who are at congenital risk for cardiovascular problems, doctors are more likely to recognize what is going on and carry out an appropriate examination.
Regardless of whether you are included in the aforementioned risk groups, however, it is important for all women to be aware of the unusual symptoms of a heart attack. and consider that they can last for days or even weeks.
Exhaustion
A feeling of constant fatigue is often associated with a lack of sleep, taking certain medications or frequent exposure to stressful situations. If your fatigue occurs all the time or is extremely severe, however, it may be the first sign of a heart attack or heart condition.
In a study of women who survived a heart attack, 70% said they felt extreme fatigue in the days and weeks leading up to the attack.
Insomnia
more likely to be an unusual symptom of a heart attack in women. A number of factors can cause insomnia, but one study showed that almost half of all women who had a heart attack even had difficulty sleeping in the days and weeks before.
Cough and shortness of breath
Maybe you don’t have a breathing problem, but suddenly find it hard to breathe deeply. Breathing difficulties may occur during your daily activities, but when it comes to an unexplained cough, it may be an early warning sign of a heart attack. Remember, however, that it can be caused by a range of other health issues.
Heartburn and bloating
Feeling a burning sensation or inflammation in the abdomen following eating can also be an early warning sign of a heart attack in women. One study found that 40% of women who had a heart attack had experienced these problems moments before.
Dizziness and profuse sweating
These two symptoms may be more associated with menopause, but it has also been discovered that dizziness and profuse sweating can appear just before an attack. Among women who had survived a heart attack, 40% remembered feeling dizzy just before. Another 40% complained of cold sweats.
Anxiety for no clear reason
Unexplained anxiety is a final symptom that you need to remember, especially if it comes with tension in the chest. A third of female heart attack victims experienced anxiety shortly before they were struck. What’s more, you should also be aware that stress and anxiety can increase your risk of suffering a heart attack.
Men and women experience a heart attack differently
A heart attack can happen at any time, although many do not realize it. And did you know that men and women experience a heart attack differently? Learn more »
