Heart Attacks & Woman

When a women has a heart attack the signs and symptoms are different, than men. When we think of someone having a heart attack the first thing that comes to mind it "chest pain", difficulty breathing, sweating. Women's symptoms less dramatic. Women's symptoms are commonly severe heartburn in the upper abdomen and/or pain in the breast.

It is common that women don't realize that they are having a heart attack, until a lot of damage is done to their heart. It is important to know that these are common signs of a heart attract in women.

  1. Severe heartburn in the upper abdomen and/or pain in the breast

  2. Chest pain-may, discomfort, pressure or burning also include back pain and/or deep aching and throbbing in one or both arms

  3. Feeling of heaviness, such as pressure-like chest pain between the breasts that may radiate to the left arm or shoulder.

  4. Breathlessness and/or inability to catch your breath when waking up.

  5. Flu-like symptoms - specifically nausea, clamminess or cold sweats

  6. Clammy sweating

  7. Dizziness - unexplained lightheadedness, possible blackouts.

  8. Anxiety - unusual nervousness, feelings of impending doom, loss of appetite and discomfort

  9. Edema-fluid retention and swelling usually of the ankles or lower legs.

  10. Fluttering--rapid heartbeats, palpitations.

  11. Nausea--gastric upset.

If you think you might be having a heart attack:

  1. Stay calm - easier said then done

  2. Call an ambulance, and tell them you think you are having a heart attack.

  3. Ask your doctor or health care professional, if you can chew an aspirin tablet - chewing an aspirin tablet has been know to greatly prevent heart damage.

  4. Get the the emergency room. It is better to go to a well equipment emergency room, then a doctors office.