A heart attack, also called myocardial infraction, happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. This blockage reduces the heart of oxygen, causing the heart muscle cells to die. This can lead to permanent heart damage or even a person’s death. In fact, heart attacks are the leading cause of death for both men and women. However, men and women often experience heart attacks differently. Recognizing the symptoms, or signs, of heart attacks in men, in women, and knowing when to get help can save lives.

Men’s Heart Attack Symptoms

Commonly known signs, or symptoms, of a heart attack that men experience:

• Sweating
• Chest pain that extends into or is only found in the left arm, shoulder, or the area between the shoulder blades or extending to the jaw
• A sudden crushing pain under the breastbone, sometimes with nausea, and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Abnormal heartbeat rhythms which are called arrythmias
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Sometimes little or no chest pain, especially in people who have diabetes

Some of these signs are common in men and women, but they manifest differently in women in ways that are not as obvious as crushing chest pain, for example.

Women Heart Attack Symptoms

Women have signs of a heart attack that are the same as men have, but women tend to have different symptoms that are in the forefront of the attack. These signs are often part of other health concerns that are not as life threatening, so it is hard to discern the underlying cause of a heart attack. Here are some examples:

• Nausea
• Indigestion or gas-like pain
• Unexplained fatigue & sleep disturbances
• Dizziness
• Uncomfortable pain between shoulder blades
• Shortness of breath
• Sometimes women do have crushing chest pain.

Because many of these symptoms for a heart attack in women are non-life threatening, women often do not go get medical care and they’re they tend to wait it out and hope that the symptoms will go away. The consequences of this can be heart damage or a life threatening event.

Know the Signs of a Heart Attack and Call 911

Be sure to take time to learn the symptoms of a heart attack, both for men and for women. If you or someone you know are experiencing any of these symptoms, do not ignore them or try to self-diagnose them. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for help. The sooner you get help the less chance there is of heart damage or death.

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

PS Do you know anyone who has had a heart attack? What signs did they have?