7 Hidden Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
Poor Sleep? Heartburn? It Might Be a Sign of
Something More Serious
7 Surprising Symptoms
You know the classic Hollywood image of a
heart attack: A man clutches his chest and falls to the ground. But a heart
attack typically looks far subtler in a woman, with a constellation of symptoms
-- including fatigue, heartburn, indigestion, sudden dizziness, and troubled
sleep -- that develop over hours, days, or even weeks. It's tempting to write
off these signs as "nothing, really," but the more of them you have,
the more likely you're suffering a heart attack. If you suspect you're having a
heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Plagued by Fatigue?
Fatigue is a common complaint, and one that
may indicate you're missing out on sleep, fighting a virus, overextending
yourself, or experiencing a side effect due to medication. Unusual or extreme
fatigue, however, may also be an early heart attack symptom or a warning sign
of heart disease. In one study, more than 70% of the women surveyed experienced
marked fatigue in the days or weeks prior to their heart attacks.
Troubled Sleep
It's not unusual to feel tired due to lack of
sleep or a demanding week or month, but take notice of any unusual or prolonged
disturbance in your sleep patterns. A recent study revealed that almost half of
the women who had recently suffered a heart attack also experienced sleep
disturbances in the days or weeks leading up to their attacks.
Shortness of Breath
Having trouble taking a deep breath but don't
think you have asthma? Unexplained, severe shortness of breath during normal
daily activities is one of the most common early heart attack symptoms in
women, as is coughing.
Heartburn and Indigestion
When it comes to heartburn, a rich meal isn't
always to blame. Nearly 40% of women who have had a heart attack say they
experienced heartburn or indigestion shortly before the attack. Heart attack
symptoms in women may also include unexplained nausea or vomiting. Women are
twice as likely as men to experience gastrointestinal problems when having a
heart attack.
Unexplained Anxiety
More than one-third of women experience
unexplained anxiety as an early heart attack symptom. Yep, a heart attack can
mimic a panic attack. Unfortunately, this can delay lifesaving treatment.
Feeling anxious for no reason at all? Call for help, pronto.
Widespread Pain
Although sudden chest pain is considered a
classic heart attack symptom, only about 30% of women report having chest pain.
Women also report pain or discomfort in other areas of the body before or
during a heart attack. Pressure, tightness, aching, or burning in your upper
back, neck, shoulders, and arms -- or even in your jaw or throat -- can
indicate a heart attack. Women have also described their chest pain as
sharpness, fullness, or tingling.
Dizziness and Sweating
Nearly 40% of women suffering a heart attack
say they feel dizzy or light-headed. Another 40% also break out in a cold
sweat. It's easy to write off both as symptoms of menopause, but sudden
dizziness can also be a symptom of stroke, so check with your doctor to be
safe.
Know Your Heart Disease Risks
How do you know if your symptoms signal a
heart attack? Get into the habit of noting your typical aches and pains and
your normal reactions to foods and activities so you can recognize when
something is truly amiss. If you have heart disease risk factors, such as high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, a smoking habit, or a
sedentary lifestyle, be especially careful about monitoring how you feel. Alert
your doctor if you experience unusual fatigue, changes in your sleep habits, or
other subtle heart attack symptoms.
For the postprandial reading, aim for anything under 140. 141-199 is
prediabetes, and a reading of 200 at any time of day is enough
to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes.