How many common heart attack symptoms would you recognise?
THE most common symptom of a heart attack in women is the same as men.
According to the British Heart Foundation that’s: “Chest pain or discomfort that suddenly occurs and doesn’t go away.
“It may feel like pressure, squeezing or heaviness in your chest.
“It can feel like indigestion or a burning sensation.”
The NHS says other common symptoms include:
- Pain that may spread to your left or right arm or to your neck, jaw, back or stomach
- Feeling sick
- Becoming sweaty
- Feeling light-headed or short of breath
- Coughing or wheezing
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety
ARE THE SYMPTOMS DIFFERENT FOR WOMEN?
THERE is debate over whether women and men experience heart attacks differently.
The BHF argues symptoms and severity varies from person to person, regardless of gender.
Meanwhile, the NHS says women are more likely to suffer shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain.
WHY DON’T WOMEN ALWAYS PICK UP ON THE SYMPTOMS?
SADLY, women do tend to react to symptoms less swiftly than men, partly because heart attacks are seen as a men’s health condition.
They might put chest pain down to indigestion, because a heart attack doesn’t cross their mind.
The BHF says: “Women are more likely to dismiss the idea that they may be having a heart attack and delay seeking medical attention.
“It’s important to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack, take them seriously and act quickly to prevent damaging the heart muscle.”
THINK YOU MIGHT BE HAVING A HEART ATTACK?
CALL 999 and sit down and rest while you wait for the ambulance to arrive, to avoid putting any strain on your heart.
The NHS also recommends slowly chewing and swallowing an adult-size tablet (300mg) of aspirin, if you’re not allergic to it, while you wait for the emergency services, to thin your blood and improve blood flow to your heart.