Heart Attack Symptoms

In Women

Information provided by Women Heart at the July 17 program at the Newtown Senior Center included the warning signs of a heart attack in women. Women experience different symptoms than do men, and complaints are often overlooked or misdiagnosed.

Heart attack symptoms for women can include:

*Chest discomfort, pain, squeezing, burning, or mild to severe pressure in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes.

*Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

*Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.

*Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, nausea and vomiting, cold sweats.

*Feelings of anxiety, fatigue, or weakness — unexplained or on exertion.

Women Heart recommends that any woman experiencing what she believes may be a heart attack call 911 within five minutes of the start of symptoms. Tell the operator you think you are having a heart attack.

Do not drive yourself or let family or friends drive you to the hospital. Emergency personnel can begin treating you on the way in an ambulance.

Chew and swallow one regular full-strength aspirin with water as soon as possible to prevent blood clotting.

At the hospital, make it clear that you are having symptoms of a heart attack. Ask for a complete cardiac evaluation, including an EKG and a cardiac enzyme blood test.

If you are waiting too long, tell them again that you are experiencing heart attack symptoms.

For more information about women and heart disease, visit www.womenheart.org or call 202-728-7199.