HOW IS HEART ATTACK DIFFERENT IN WOMEN?
We’ve long known that when it comes to heart attack symptoms, men and women are different.
While men often have the tell-tale chest pain, signs and symptoms of a heart attack in women are far subtler—that’s especially true when it comes to younger women.
Research has found that the women who didn’t have chest pain had far more subtle signs and symptoms of a heart attack than those with chest pain.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK IN WOMEN?
Some of the subtle symptoms that women may ignore are:
- Chest (middle, left, or right side) discomfort, pain or pressure
- Back discomfort
- Pain or tingling of the jaw, elbow or arm (more often the left arm)
- Throat tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Indigestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Light-headedness with exertion, dizziness or vertigo
- Disproportionate sweating with activity
- Sudden profound fatigue
Women's symptoms may occur more often when women are resting, or even when they're asleep.
Mental stress also may trigger heart attack symptoms in women.
WHAT ARE HEART DISEASE RISK FACTORS FOR WOMEN?
Although several traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease — such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity — affect women and men, other factors may play a bigger role in the development of heart disease in women. For example, risk factors may include:
- Diabetes: Women with diabetes are at greater risk of heart disease than are men with diabetes.
- Mental Stress and Depression: Women's hearts are affected by stress and depression more than men's. Depression makes it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow recommended treatment.
- Smoking: In women, smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than it is in men.
- Inactivity: A lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease, and some research has found women to be more inactive than men.
- Menopause: Low levels of estrogen after menopause pose a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels.
Women with inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, may also have a higher risk of heart disease.
WHAT CAN WOMEN DO TO REDUCE THEIR RISK OF HEART DISEASE?
Women can make several lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart disease or prevent heart attack, including:
- Quit or don't start smoking.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
IS THE TREATMENT FOR HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN DIFFERENT THAN IN MEN?
Generally, heart disease treatment in women and in men is similar. However, women who don't have typical chest pain are less likely to be offered these potentially lifesaving options.
And, in women, if heart symptoms are mainly caused by coronary microvascular disease, treatment generally includes healthy lifestyle changes and medications. If you suffer from any mini heart attack symptoms or warning signs or have a family history of heart disease, make sure your doctor knows it and takes appropriate action to move forward with a suitable treatment.
WHY KIMS?
KIMS, with one of the best cardiovascular surgeons, is undoubtedly the best heart hospital in Hyderabad. With 24/7 cardiac services, we have the best heart emergency care services in Hyderabad.
Our cardiac surgery unit is state of the art and we are perhaps the place that has the best heart attack treatment specialist in Hyderabad. While our cardiovascular surgeons provide the best cardiac treatment, they also help you understand your heart, symptoms of heart attack, how long a heart attack lasts and steps you can take to prevent a heart attack.