Signs of a Heart Attack in Women: Could You Be Ignoring These Critical Symptoms?
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making any changes to your health regimen.
As we age, our health demands more attention. Aside from regular exercise and a healthy diet, we should also have different parts of our body checked, especially with the abundance of health problems nowadays.
In the United States, heart disease stands as the leading cause of death among women, claiming about one in every five female lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to Dr. Kate Elfrey, a board-certified cardiologist from The Heart Center at Mercy in Maryland, “About 80% of all heart disease can be prevented.”
However, awareness of heart disease as the top killer remains surprisingly low, particularly among Black and Latino women. This lack of awareness is more than just a statistic; it's a gap that could mean the difference between life and death.
US News defines a heart attack as a severe cardiac condition in which there is a sudden problem with or interruption of blood flow to the heart.
Dr. Elfrey states that, “There are arteries that lay on top of the muscle of the heart, and they supply blood flow to the heart muscle so that it can pump appropriately.” However, she remarks that when there is a buildup of plaque and cholesterol “that becomes severe to the point where it has obstructed the artery, that's when you'll have a heart attack.”
A heart attack is most commonly caused by a blockage in one or more major arteries of the heart. Since the plaque buildup blocks the artery, there is not enough blood flow–leading to pain, discomfort, and other symptoms.
Despite movies usually being overdramatized, Dr. Elfrey says that “The hallmark signs and symptoms (are) like what we see in the movies.” She goes on to describe the feeling as a “crushing chest pain” where the individual grabs their chest or holds onto their chest.
On the other hand, someone experiencing a heart attack may also feel as if there was an elephant sitting on their chest. It’s described as a severe squeezing sensation, as per Dr. Daniel Hermann, interventional and structural cardiologist and director of structural cardiology at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center in Houston.
The Silent Threat: Subtle Symptoms in Women
Here are some symptoms that women, in particular, should be vigilant about:
When to Act: Timing Is Everything
The window for effectively treating a heart attack is narrow. Dr. Kate Elfrey, a board-certified cardiologist, emphasizes that, “The faster you can get to the hospital so that we can see if you really are having a heart attack is very important.”
She adds there's about a 90-minute window from the onset of symptoms to the optimal time for treatment to preserve heart function. This is why recognizing the signs and acting swiftly is paramount.
If you experience severe chest pain, profuse sweating, and extreme dizziness, it's time to call 911. But because women's symptoms can be less pronounced, it's essential to be aware of subtler changes.
For instance, Dr. Elfrey mentions that if your daily walk suddenly leaves you more fatigued or short of breath, it could be a warning sign of a heart attack. She advises that that “The most important thing is to listen to your body… Don’t take the risk when it comes to the heart.”
Risk Factors: More Than Just Genetics
Dr. Elfrey says that there is no evidence that points to one risk factor that causes a higher risk of heart attack for men or women.
Risk factors for heart attack in both men and women include:
While family history plays a role in heart disease risk, lifestyle choices have a significant impact. Stress, often overlooked, is a substantial risk factor, says Dr. Elfrey.
She also highlights that chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, promoting inflammation and plaque buildup in the arteries. Due to the increased inflammation, premature plaque building can be triggered, contributing to the process of the heart attack.
Dr. Elfrey also observes that women, who frequently assume caretaker roles, may experience added stress and are more likely to internalize it, neglecting self-care. Recognizing and managing stress is a critical component of heart health.
Prevention: Taking Control of Your Heart Health
Preventing a heart attack isn't solely about avoiding the bad; it's about embracing the good. Dr. Hermann assuredly says, “You have a lot of power to modify your risk profile.”
Building a strong relationship with your physician, understanding your risk factors, and making lifestyle changes are all part of a proactive approach to heart health
Here are some actionable steps to reduce your risk:
Have you ever ignored symptoms that turned out to be critical? Do you have questions about heart health that you'd like to discuss? Join the conversation in the comments below!
As we age, our health demands more attention. Aside from regular exercise and a healthy diet, we should also have different parts of our body checked, especially with the abundance of health problems nowadays.
In the United States, heart disease stands as the leading cause of death among women, claiming about one in every five female lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to Dr. Kate Elfrey, a board-certified cardiologist from The Heart Center at Mercy in Maryland, “About 80% of all heart disease can be prevented.”
However, awareness of heart disease as the top killer remains surprisingly low, particularly among Black and Latino women. This lack of awareness is more than just a statistic; it's a gap that could mean the difference between life and death.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet awareness among women, particularly Black and Latino women, is significantly lower than it should be. Image source: Pexels.
US News defines a heart attack as a severe cardiac condition in which there is a sudden problem with or interruption of blood flow to the heart.
Dr. Elfrey states that, “There are arteries that lay on top of the muscle of the heart, and they supply blood flow to the heart muscle so that it can pump appropriately.” However, she remarks that when there is a buildup of plaque and cholesterol “that becomes severe to the point where it has obstructed the artery, that's when you'll have a heart attack.”
A heart attack is most commonly caused by a blockage in one or more major arteries of the heart. Since the plaque buildup blocks the artery, there is not enough blood flow–leading to pain, discomfort, and other symptoms.
Despite movies usually being overdramatized, Dr. Elfrey says that “The hallmark signs and symptoms (are) like what we see in the movies.” She goes on to describe the feeling as a “crushing chest pain” where the individual grabs their chest or holds onto their chest.
On the other hand, someone experiencing a heart attack may also feel as if there was an elephant sitting on their chest. It’s described as a severe squeezing sensation, as per Dr. Daniel Hermann, interventional and structural cardiologist and director of structural cardiology at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center in Houston.
The Silent Threat: Subtle Symptoms in Women
Here are some symptoms that women, in particular, should be vigilant about:
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Pain or discomfort that radiates up to the jaw area or down the arm, to the back or stomach.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sweating.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Discomfort in the upper belly or lower chest, similar to the feeling of indigestion.
- Extreme fatigue.
When to Act: Timing Is Everything
The window for effectively treating a heart attack is narrow. Dr. Kate Elfrey, a board-certified cardiologist, emphasizes that, “The faster you can get to the hospital so that we can see if you really are having a heart attack is very important.”
She adds there's about a 90-minute window from the onset of symptoms to the optimal time for treatment to preserve heart function. This is why recognizing the signs and acting swiftly is paramount.
If you experience severe chest pain, profuse sweating, and extreme dizziness, it's time to call 911. But because women's symptoms can be less pronounced, it's essential to be aware of subtler changes.
For instance, Dr. Elfrey mentions that if your daily walk suddenly leaves you more fatigued or short of breath, it could be a warning sign of a heart attack. She advises that that “The most important thing is to listen to your body… Don’t take the risk when it comes to the heart.”
Dr. Elfrey advises that “The most important thing is to listen to your body… Don’t take the risk when it comes to the heart.” Image source: Pexels.
Risk Factors: More Than Just Genetics
Dr. Elfrey says that there is no evidence that points to one risk factor that causes a higher risk of heart attack for men or women.
Risk factors for heart attack in both men and women include:
- Family history of premature heart disease.
- High cholesterol.
- High blood pressure.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Living a sedentary lifestyle.
- Smoking.
- Stress.
While family history plays a role in heart disease risk, lifestyle choices have a significant impact. Stress, often overlooked, is a substantial risk factor, says Dr. Elfrey.
She also highlights that chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, promoting inflammation and plaque buildup in the arteries. Due to the increased inflammation, premature plaque building can be triggered, contributing to the process of the heart attack.
Dr. Elfrey also observes that women, who frequently assume caretaker roles, may experience added stress and are more likely to internalize it, neglecting self-care. Recognizing and managing stress is a critical component of heart health.
Prevention: Taking Control of Your Heart Health
Preventing a heart attack isn't solely about avoiding the bad; it's about embracing the good. Dr. Hermann assuredly says, “You have a lot of power to modify your risk profile.”
Building a strong relationship with your physician, understanding your risk factors, and making lifestyle changes are all part of a proactive approach to heart health
Here are some actionable steps to reduce your risk:
- Maintain a good relationship with your doctor.
- Ask about heart disease screening.
- Control known risk factors.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet.
- Get moving.
- Avoid smoking.
- Manage stress level.
Have you ever ignored symptoms that turned out to be critical? Do you have questions about heart health that you'd like to discuss? Join the conversation in the comments below!
