Heart attack symptoms in women

Barbara Lambeth, RN, is the research director at Banner Baywood Medical Center and Banner Heart Hospital in Mesa, AZ.

Question: Are heart attack symptoms different for women?

Answer: Yes, heart attack symptoms can be different for women. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women — despite race or ethnicity.  Heart disease kills one of every three American women.

The symptoms for women having a heart attack can be very different than those of a man, but the following are common symptoms in both men and women:

• pressure
• tightness or squeezing chest pain
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• pain spreading to shoulder, arm or neck
• heartburn
• dizziness or loss of consciousness

There are several symptoms of a heart attack that are more likely in women:

• unexplained weakness or fatigue
• indigestion or gas-like pain
• pain between the shoulder blades
• recurring chest discomfort

It’s best to be evaluated by a cardiologist if you have any questions about your heart health.