Signs of Heart Attack in Women: The symptoms of a heart attack in women are quite different. Let us tell you which symptoms you may ignore, which can later prove fatal.

Heart attack in women

Heart attack in women: A heart attack in women doesn't always present as we see on TV or in advertisements: sharp chest pain or sudden collapse. In fact, the symptoms of a heart attack in women are often mild and gradual, such as extreme fatigue, stomach upset, difficulty breathing, or restlessness. This is why they are often overlooked as minor, leading to delayed treatment. Recognizing these hidden signs and seeing a doctor in time is crucial to saving lives. Let us explain them in detail.

Unseen signs of a heart attack in women

Whenever we think of a heart attack, the first image that comes to mind is severe chest pain. But many women don't have such symptoms. Their bodies show signs of heart-related problems in a much milder way. Cardiologist Dr. Dmitry Yaranov explains, "Heart attacks in women often don't appear as people think. Sometimes patients experience pain in the jaw, back, or shoulder, or simply fatigue and shortness of breath, but they don't associate it with heart disease." He says women often dismiss it as stress or weakness, whereas these are the early signs of heart disease.

Do not ignore these symptoms

There are some early symptoms, many of which we ignore, but we absolutely shouldn't. These symptoms include extreme fatigue or weakness. If you become extremely tired without doing any heavy work or feel weak even after resting, this could be a sign of a heart problem. Second, shortness of breath or dizziness. If you become short of breath or suddenly feel dizzy even without exertion, don't just assume it's weakness or stress. This could be a sign of a lack of oxygen in the heart. The third symptom is pain in the jaw, neck, back, shoulders, or arms. If there's pain or heaviness in these areas but the reason isn't clear, this could also be a sign of a heart problem.

A feeling of heaviness, burning, or confusion in the stomach can be its fourth symptom. If you feel burning, confusion, vomiting, or indigestion in the stomach, then do not consider it just gas or acidity. Such symptoms are sometimes seen during a heart attack as well. Talking about the fifth symptom, it includes sweating or restlessness. Sudden cold sweat, clammy skin, or unexplained nervousness. These are also early signs of a heart attack. Apart from these, another symptom is difficulty in sleeping or restless sleep. If you wake up frequently at night or remain tired even after a full sleep, then this can also be a signal from the body that something is wrong.

What is a silent heart attack?

Many women experience silent heart attacks, meaning they don't have any obvious or immediate symptoms. People often dismiss them as fatigue, indigestion, or stress. However, later tests reveal heart damage.

Why are the symptoms different in women?

Women's symptoms vary due to changes in their bodies and hormones. Sometimes, even without a blockage, the small arteries in the heart are affected, causing pain or heaviness. In some cases, a condition called spontaneous coronary artery dissection is the cause, especially in girls or postpartum women. Furthermore, doctors often dismiss women's symptoms as stress or gas. This is known as "Yentl Syndrome."