What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack in Women?
Learn common and less obvious heart attack warning signs in women
Learn common and less obvious heart attack warning signs in women
Key Takeaways
- Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom.
- Women may have less obvious heart attack symptoms.
- Call 911 if you suspect a heart attack.
- Know your personal heart disease risk.
- Regular checkups can help identify heart risks early.
It’s a common misconception that heart disease primarily affects men. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, accounting for one in every five female deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Heart disease causes more deaths among women than all forms of cancer combined. Cardiovascular disease is also a leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the U.S.
Despite these facts, only about half of American women recognize heart disease as their greatest health threat. Many also don’t realize that heart attack symptoms in women can differ from those in men.
“Even when women do have warning signs of a heart attack, they often are very different than the symptoms men experience,” says Poulina Uddin, MD, a cardiologist with Scripps Women’s Heart Center. “Both men and women may feel chest pain or break out in a cold sweat during a heart attack, but that is where most of the similarities end.”
Common heart attack symptoms in women
Chest pain, pressure or discomfort is still the most common heart attack symptom for women. However, women are more likely than men to experience additional symptoms that may be mistaken for another illness.
Symptoms may include:
- Chest pain, pressure, tightness or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pain that spreads to the shoulders, arms, back, neck or jaw
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold sweats or unusual sweating
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Sudden dizziness or lightheadedness
- Extreme or unusual fatigue
- Weakness
- Problems sleeping
Some women may have mild or unusual symptoms that are easy to mistake for indigestion, the flu, anxiety or muscle pain. Even if symptoms seem mild, don’t ignore them. Call 911 immediately if you think you may be having a heart attack.
What to do if you think you’re having a heart attack
If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, don’t ignore them or wait to see if they improve. Call 911. Taking immediate action can save your life.
Don’t drive yourself or have someone else drive you to the hospital. Paramedics can begin treatment on the way to the emergency room, helping reduce heart damage and improve your chances of recovery.
Know your risk for heart disease
Even if you think your heart is healthy, talk with your doctor about your heart disease risk, especially if you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. The more risk factors you have, the greater the risk.
“Women also have risk factors that don’t affect men, such as developing diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy,” says Dr. Uddin. “Also, hormones, such as estrogen, may play a role in protecting women from heart disease; after menopause, that protection disappears.”
Knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels can help you and your doctor identify risk factors early and take steps to protect your heart health.
Heart disease risk factors you can’t control
Some heart disease risk factors cannot be changed, such as:
Age and menopause: Women generally develop heart disease about 10 years later than men. Before menopause, estrogen helps protect the heart. After menopause, that protection declines, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Family history: Having a parent or sibling with heart disease, especially at a younger age, may increase your risk.
Pregnancy history: High blood pressure, diabetes, and preeclampsia during pregnancy increase your risk of developing heart disease later in life.
Race and ethnicity: Black Americans have higher rates of heart disease and risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Black women in particular are less likely to receive preventive care, including medicines to lower blood pressure.
Heart disease factors you can control
While some risk factors cannot be changed, many can, so take action:
- Don’t smoke or vape
- Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins
- Be physically active most days of the week
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Limit alcohol
- Manage stress in healthy ways
- Get enough quality sleep
- Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar under control
- Get regular preventive checkups and recommended screenings
Heart disease and pregnancy
The U.S. has one of the highest rates of pregnancy-related deaths among developed countries and cardiovascular disease is a leading cause.
Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related heart complications. Women who are 35 and older have a higher risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Many pregnancy-related deaths can be prevented through early recognition and treatment of heart disease.
To support a healthy pregnancy, get early and regular prenatal care. If your doctor recommends monitoring your blood pressure at home, check it regularly. Eating a healthy diet, limiting sodium and staying physically active during pregnancy, when appropriate, can also help support heart health.