Heart Attack Warning Signs for Women
Heart attacks are often viewed as a man's problem when, in fact, more women in the U.S. die of heart disease each year than men. Probably because women are less likely than men to seek immediate treatment. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women who often think their symptoms are the result of heart burn or the flu.
Women often experience signs and symptoms that are different from those that men experience. This is because smaller arteries may be blocked in women whereas men often have blockage in the main arteries. Warning signs for women include the following:
- Pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in the center of the chest, spreading to the neck, shoulder or jaw
- Light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort
- Lower chest discomfort
- Back pain
- Unusual fatigue
- Unusual shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Elaine Bokhart’s husband, Rick, urged her to get help when she started experiencing odd symptoms such as a tingling in the top of her head. Later that day, a stress test showed she was actually having a heart attack. Read more...
“It’s important to know yourself, know your body, and know if something just isn't right for you.” ~Elaine Bokhart, Mishawaka