Despite an increase in awareness over the past decade, only 54% of women recognize that heart disease is their number one risk of death.
One reason for this is that women don’t always get the same classic heart attack symptoms as men do. In addition, some of the symptoms are vague or can be attributed to other health issues. This is why it is important for women to be educated about what symptoms they should be concerned about.
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
What symptoms should women be watching out for?
- Frequent chest pain that is sharp and burning
- Uncomfortable squeezing in the chest on either the left or right side
- Discomfort or pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or throat
- Palpitations or fluttering feelings in the chest
- Swelling of the legs, feet, ankles and/or abdomen
- Stomach pain or severe, heavy abdominal pressure
- Shortness of breath, nausea or lightheadedness
- Nervous cold sweats that feels like stress sweating not exercise sweating
- Abnormal fatigue while doing the simplest of tasks, general tiredness
In 2004, the American Heart Association (AHA) were concerned that heart disease was claiming the lives of nearly 500,000 women each year, yet women weren’t paying attention. Many women thought that it was only something that older men should be concerned about. So that same year to raise more awareness, the AHA created Go Red For Women, an initiative designed to empower women to take care of their heart health.
For more details about Go Red For Women and heart disease and women go to: https://www.goredforwomen.org/.
