To Your Health: Women experience heart attacks differently

Each May, we observe Women’s Health Month and encourage women everywhere to make their health a top priority.

This year, let’s consider heart attacks and how women may have different symptoms and experiences from men.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked completely, cutting off the critical flow of oxygen to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is pain in the center of the chest, which may last for minutes or come and go. But there are other symptoms associated with heart attacks. In fact, some people don’t feel chest pain at all.

Women are less likely to have typical symptoms, so heart attacks may look and feel different to them and their care providers. Women are more likely to have shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, or pain in the back or jaw.

Other heart attack symptoms in women can include indigestion or heart burn; pain in the neck, shoulders or throat; extreme fatigue; cold sweats and stomach pain. In some cases, symptoms in women can be so mild that it’s difficult to recognize them as signs of a heart attack.

Silent heart attacks are also more common in women, especially those under 65. Silent heart attacks are less likely to cause symptoms, and when they do, symptoms are likely to be mild. Some women don’t know they had a heart attack until days or weeks after it happens.

A non-invasive test called an electrocardiogram (EKG) can be used to identify a silent heart attack. Small sensors attached to the chest and arms record the heart’s electrical activity to determine if the heart has been damaged despite a lack of symptoms. If one is detected, your doctor might recommend medication and cardiac rehabilitation.

To make diagnosis more complex, other medical conditions can cause similar symptoms. Bone, muscle and joint pain; gastroesophageal reflux disease; esophageal spasm; pulmonary embolism and emotional stress can all lead to some of the symptoms often associated with heart attack.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, call your doctor or 911 immediately. It’s best to be examined to rule out any serious conditions than to wait and risk significant damage to your heart.

As always, you can lower your risk by managing modifiable risk factors. Eating a balanced diet; exercising for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week at a moderate intensity; monitoring and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels; and maintaining a healthy weight can all help you prevent a heart attack. Quitting smoking and limiting your alcohol consumption are lifestyle choices that will significantly mitigate your risk as well.

Your primary care physician will help you manage your risks. For example, medications and tailored exercise recommendations can help you keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at safe levels.

Remember that your care team will support you through your journey and help you design a care plan that’s appropriate for your specific health conditions and history. The added bonus to reducing your risks for cardiovascular events is that it will also help you improve your overall health and reduce risks for other serious conditions.