Heart Attack Symptoms Are Different for Women. Here’s What to Know.

If you asked most people to picture a heart attack, they’d describe the same scene: someone grabs their chest and collapses.
Real life is often less dramatic. And for many women, the warning signs can be easier to explain away as stress, indigestion, the flu, or “just being tired.” The risk is not the symptom itself. It’s the delay.
This article is here to make the signs easier to recognize, especially the ones that do not look like the heart attack symptoms you see on TV. If you ever think you might be having a heart attack, call 911 right away.

First, the most important truth

Women can have chest pain during a heart attack. In fact, chest pain or discomfort is still the most common symptom for women and men.
What is different is that women are more likely to also have other symptoms that feel less “cardiac,” and those can happen with chest discomfort or without it.

Common heart attack symptoms in women

Health authorities like the American Heart Association, the CDC, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute list several symptoms that women may experience more often or more noticeably.

Here are the ones people most often miss:

Unusual tiredness or weakness

This is not “I’m tired because it’s been a long week.” Some women describe sudden, extreme fatigue that feels out of proportion to what they did that day, sometimes even for days beforehand.

Shortness of breath

This can feel like you cannot catch your breath, even when you are not exerting yourself. It may show up with other symptoms or alone.

Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, or “heartburn”

Some women feel sick to their stomach or have upper abdominal discomfort that they assume is reflux or something they ate.

Discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or arm

Instead of a central chest pressure, women may notice pain or pressure in the upper back, shoulder, arm, jaw, or neck. The American Heart Association specifically calls out upper back pressure that can feel like squeezing.

Lightheadedness, dizziness, cold sweat, or anxiety-like feeling

These symptoms can be scary because they resemble panic or a sudden illness. They can also be part of a heart attack picture.

Why women’s symptoms are easier to brush off

A few very human reasons:

• The symptoms can feel vague or “flu-like,” such as fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath.
• Many women are used to pushing through discomfort. They finish the shift, get the kids settled, or try to sleep it off.
• If symptoms come and go, it is tempting to assume it is not serious

The problem is that when it comes to heart attack, waiting can be dangerous. The CDC and AHA emphasize recognizing warning signs and acting quickly.

When to call 911

Use this simple rule: if symptoms are new, unusual, or worrying, especially if they involve chest discomfort, shortness of breath, upper-body pain, nausea, or sudden weakness, call 911.
The CDC is direct about calling 911 for heart attack signs and symptoms rather than trying to wait it out. The American Heart Association also urges people to call 911 if they think they may be having a heart attack.
Do not drive yourself if you suspect a heart attack. EMS can start care on the way and keep you safer if symptoms change suddenly.

What to do while you are waiting for help

If you are with someone who may be having a heart attack, or you think you might be:

1. Call 911.
2. Sit down and try to stay calm.
3. Unlock the door if possible.
4. If you can, gather a quick list of medications and allergies.
   This article is educational, not a substitute for medical advice. In an emergency, always follow 911 dispatcher instructions.

How Rush Memorial Hospital can help

Rush Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is prepared to handle a wide range of problems from minor illnesses to life-threatening events.
If you are in doubt and symptoms could be heart-related, the ER is the right place to be evaluated quickly and safely.

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