Disruption of the flow of blood to the heart is a heart attack. This is life- threatening and needs immediate treatment. There are more chances of a man surviving his first heart attack as compared to a woman as the symptoms are different. Most often, women tend to have a ‘silent’ heart attack due to female biology. Women experience heart attack symptoms for many weeks before the actual attack. Listed are some symptoms of a heart attack in a woman you need to look for.
- Unusual or extreme Fatigue:
A woman feels extreme fatigue weeks before the actual heart attack. This is also experienced just before the attack. Simple tasks that do not require much of an effort seem extremely tiring.
- Chest Pain:
Discomfort or chest pain is one major symptom of a heart attack in women and men. This can be described as
- pressure
- squeezing
- tightness
- Aching.
There are chances that a woman does not experience any discomfort before a heart attack.
- Shortness of breath:
Breathing heavily without any exertion or shortness of breath is another indication of a heart attack in women. Sometimes, this shortness of breath is felt when lying down and seems to ease when sitting upright.
- Weakness:
Feeling shaky or weak is a common symptom of a heart attack in a woman. This can be accompanied by feeling lightheaded, fainting, anxiety or, even dizziness.
- Sleeping Problems:
A lot of women experience problems when sleeping just before a heart attack. This can be difficulty in getting sleep, feeling tired or unusual waking through the night.
Warning Signs of a Heart Attack:
It is important to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack so that this can be attended to immediately.
There is discomfort that feels like pressure in the chest or even squeezing of the chest that lasts for a few minutes but returns.
- Unexplained breath shortness
- Discomfort and pain that can be in your upper body like the back, neck, both arms, teeth, jaws or, even stomach.
Besides the above, you might also experience nausea, cold sweats and indigestion.
Immediate Treatment:
When you recognize the symptoms of a heart attack it is advisable to call the Emergency immediately. The medical personnel is trained to look after the patient when driving to the hospital. They can even revive the heart if it stops.
Studies have been made on the infusion of specific protein into the scar tissue after an attack, which might help in the recovery.
It is important to ensure the restoration of the blood flow immediately after a heart attack so that there is minimum damage done. There are various types of medications for a heart attack and this is best decided by the consulting cardiologist.
