Signs of a Heart Attack

Women account for half of all heart attacks.

Truth:
Women's heart attack symptoms may be different from men's

Truth:
Many heart attacks start slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort --- and symptoms may even come and go

Truth:
Even those who have had a heart attack may not recognize their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely different ones

Truth:
Women are less likely than men to believe they're having a heart attack and more likely to delay emergency treatment

Heart Attack: Know the Signs

• Chest discomfort
• Pain spreading to shoulders, neck,* arm, back, stomach* or jaw
• Shortness of breath*
• Unexplained weakness and fatigue*
• Nausea*
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Indigestion or gas-like pain or pressure
• Sense of impending doom

*Women are more likely than men to have these symptoms

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Act Fast if Symptons Appear

• Call 911 or get to the nearest emergency center if you have symptoms
• Talk with your doctor about lowering your heart attack risk
• Don't worry about false alarms -- be safe, not sorry
• Learn CPR
• Educate your mother, your sisters and your friends

Heart attack deaths and heart damage can often be avoided when treatment begins within an hour of when the symptoms started.

Take our Heart Risk Assessment Quiz and learn more about women and heart disease.