Women's Heart Attack Symptoms Can Differ from Men's
**Women's Heart Health: Recognising Unique Symptoms for Early Detection**
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, and understanding the unique symptoms that women may experience can be crucial in early detection and treatment.
A study by Dr. Rebecca Schallek, a UR Medicine Cardiologist, highlights that women are less likely to experience the classic crushing chest pain associated with heart attacks in men. Instead, they often report chest discomfort that may feel like pressure, tightness, or fullness, or may have no chest pain at all. Women frequently present with atypical symptoms such as shortness of breath (with or without chest pain), nausea or vomiting, jaw, neck, or upper back pain, and unusual fatigue or exhaustion.
These symptoms, such as indigestion, back pain, dizziness, or anxiety, are more common in women and may be mistaken for less serious conditions like acid reflux, stress, or musculoskeletal pain. This misinterpretation can lead to delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or under-treatment, affecting outcomes and survival rates.
Recent studies show that warning signs for cardiac arrest also differ by gender. Men most often report chest pain as a warning sign, while women more commonly experience shortness of breath in the hours leading up to a cardiac event.
Early identification and prompt medical intervention are key to reducing the risk of delay in treatment. Recognising that heart disease can present differently in women allows for earlier identification and prompt medical intervention, reducing the risk of delay in treatment. Awareness of gender-specific symptoms among healthcare providers and the public can lead to more accurate diagnoses, appropriate emergency care, and better long-term outcomes for women.
Increased education about women’s heart disease symptoms can empower women to seek help sooner, while gender-specific screening and risk assessment can help catch heart disease at earlier, more treatable stages. The Wilmot Cancer Institute offers smoking cessation programs, and the Center for Community Health & Prevention provides services for quitting smoking or vaping. Regular exercise strengthens the heart, and adopting a plant-based diet ensures quality nutrition. Seeking professional medical care is crucial for understanding personal heart disease risks.
The region's only Women's Heart Program offers tailored care for women with heart disease. Keeping a close eye on blood pressure and cholesterol levels is important. Women might not experience chest pain but may feel pain in the arm, shoulder, or neck. Understanding the range of symptoms specific to women is crucial in identifying heart attacks in women.
Tobacco use increases the risk of death from heart disease by 2 to 3 times. Regular check-ups and discussions with a provider can save lives. Correct identification of women’s unique symptoms can greatly enhance timely care and improve heart health outcomes for women.
Health-and-wellness initiatives focused on women's unique heart symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, and neck or upper back pain, could play a significant role in early detection and treatment of heart disease in women. Recognizing the difference in warning signs between men and women, including the increased likelihood of shortness of breath for women prior to a cardiac event, is essential for mental-health and overall community health by ensuring prompt medical intervention and improving survival rates. Additionally, science-based education about women's heart health, coupled with gender-specific screening and risk assessment, can empower women to seek help sooner, thereby enhancing timely care and improving heart health outcomes.
