Women and Heart Attack Warning Signs 
*Although not exactly what Valentine’s Day is about, we here at Calamity Politics.com thought it was important to highlight women’s heart health.*
Women and Heart Attack Warning Signs
D. S. Mitchell
It’s Not Always Crushing Chest Pain
Signs of a heart attack are often the same for both men and women, but not always. The most common symptom of a heart attack for men most often includes “crushing” left upper chest pain. Also notable is generalized upper body pain and discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and lightheadedness. Women, however, can have a heart attack without the traditional “crushing” chest pressure/pain.” They like men may also experience: 1) pain or pressure in the lower chest, jaw or upper abdomen, 2) dizziness or faintness, 3) upper back pressure, 4) overwhelming fatigue. Any of these symptoms without the crushing chest pain can be early signs of a pending coronary event. Any of these signs can occur weeks before the actual heart attack.
Statistics Reveal Inequality of Research
What is important is that early signs of a heart attack are missed in 78% of women and their heart attacks are statistically more fatal than those of men. Women often report NO chest pain. The reason for these startling facts is that the majority of heart research has centered on men. Typical tests such as electrocardiograms and blood work come out normal for women because they were designed to interpret information about men’s hearts. Often women are sent home mis-diagnosed with “anxiety” or “heartburn” when in fact they are experiencing a myocardial infarction (MI).
What’s an MI?
An MI occurs when one or more of the arteries that feed the heart with blood and oxygen is totally blocked by a blood clot or fatty plaque. This means immediate care is essential. Without treatment the affected parts of the heart will die. Muscle tissue death, depending on how severe, typically leads to the death of the individual. An emergency trip to the cath lab is imperative during such events. It is in the cath lab where stents can be placed to open the blockage and save the patient’s life.
Our Bodies
It is time for more heart research funding to be spent on women’s cardiac health and diagnosing potentially lethal events. It is especially important that women with a family history of heart disease to be especially vigilant when assessing their symptoms. Women must be more persistent when discussing symptoms with their care givers and insistent that when something feels wrong it might very well be. We know our bodies better than the physician. Be your own best advocate.
HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS IN WOMEN:
- Pale clammy skin
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart fluttering or rhythm irregularities
- Cold sweat
- Unusual fatigue
- Dizziness and or lightheadedness
- Shoulder, neck, jaw, arm, and or back pain
- Nausea, and or vomiting
- Insomnia
- Stomach pain
If you experience any of the, above symptoms, whether you are a man or a woman, please immediately chew 160 milligrams of aspirin and call 911. Your life may well depend on it.
https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2017/10/12/warning-signs-of-stroke-and-heart-attack/
