Why Heart Attack Symptoms in Women Are Often Missed
Men and women can both have chest pain during a heart attack, but women are more likely to experience subtle or “atypical” symptoms. These can appear days or even weeks before the actual heart attack.
Common reasons women delay seeking help include:
Symptoms don’t feel “heart-related”
Pain is mild or comes and goes
Fatigue or nausea is blamed on stress or illness
Fear of overreacting or bothering others
Unfortunately, this delay can lead to more serious heart damage and higher risk of complications.
Classic vs. Silent Heart Attack Symptoms
Classic symptoms (can happen in both men and women):
Chest discomfort, pressure, or tightness
Pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw, or back
Shortness of breath
Cold sweats or dizziness
More common in women:
Women often experience non-chest-related symptoms, which is why these are sometimes called “silent” or “atypical” heart attack symptoms.
