Heart disease is the leading killer in the United States; every 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart attacks, according to the Center for Disease Control. For both men and women, heart disease is the leading cause of death. However, the symptoms of heart attack are very different for men and women, so it’s important to know all the warning signs for your biological sex.
Chest Pain
Chest pain is by far the most well-known and commonly reported sign of a heart attack. Many people describe feeling a heavy pressure, fullness, or squeezing pain in the center of their chest that either lasts longer than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. Although chest pain is a common symptom for both men and women, women are more likely to have heart attacks without chest pain.
Irregular Heartbeat
An irregular heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia, occurs when the heart skips or adds a beat, or when it’s racing. If this happens for more than a few seconds at a time, it may be a sign of atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes the heart to beat out of time, resulting in poor blood flow and heart attack.
Numbness or Pain in the Arms
Many people are familiar with the fact that heart attacks can trigger pain in the left arm. However, people can also experience numbness, and the pain or numbness can affect either arm, or even both arms not just the left.
Nausea
Experiencing nausea, vomiting, or heartburn during a heart attack is an especially common symptom for women to experience. Of course, these symptoms can have many other causes other than a heart attack, but if you are at risk for heart problems and experiencing these symptoms, it is best to see a doctor.
Lightheadedness
Symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting can be a symptom of a heart attack because the heart cannot get enough oxygen to the brain. This symptom is especially prevalent in women.
Pain in the Upper Body
In addition to chest pain, people can experience pain in the neck, upper back, jaw, or head. Having pain in the upper body is more common for women experiencing heart attacks.
Sweating
Breaking out in a cold sweat is a sign of a heart attack. For women, these cold sweats feel similar to those brought on by the hormonal changes of menopause. This by itself is not cause for concern, but if it occurs along with any of the other signs of a heart attack, then see a doctor as soon as possible.
Shortness of Breath
Feeling like you can’t catch your breath or having difficulty breathing may be a precursor to the heart attack, or may happen during the heart attack itself. Women are more likely to experience breathing problems during their heart attacks, especially without experiencing chest pain.
Fatigue
Feeling extremely tired doing activities that used to be easy, such as bringing in groceries or walking up the stairs, may be a sign of a heart attack. This is because the heart cannot supply oxygen or nutrients to the body anymore. Experiencing fatigue or weakness, especially for days at a time, as a sign of a heart attack is more common among women.
Panic and Anxiety
Feeling impending doom or severe panic may be a sign of a heart attack. These feelings can sometimes be mistaken for a panic attack, as panic attacks can include other symptoms of heart attacks, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and irregular heartbeats. Often these feelings are attributed to anxiety or stress, but if you are at risk for a heart attack, see a doctor right away.
It is important to be aware of the different symptoms of a heart attack, as heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Some symptoms, like chest pain, are more obvious, but many symptoms, especially in women, are more subtle, so it is important to educate yourself. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room right away.
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