A Woman's Heart: Symptoms of Heart Attack
Every year hundreds of thousands of women die as the result of a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease. What many people, including many healthcare professionals, don't realize is that the symptoms of heart attack in women are often different than in men. Women are more likely to experience nausea, dizziness, and anxiety as symptoms that indicate a heart attack.- Chest pain-may
also include back pain and/or deep aching and throbbing in one or
both arms.
- Breathlessness
and/or inability to catch your breath when waking up.
- Clammy
sweating.
- Dizziness--unexplained
lightheadedness, possible blackouts.
- Anxiety--unusual
nervousness, feelings of impending doom.
- Edema--fluid
retention and swelling usually of the ankles or lower
legs.
- Fluttering--rapid
heartbeats, palpitations.
- Nausea--gastric
upset.
- Feeling of heaviness, such as pressure-like chest pain between the breasts that may radiate to the left arm or shoulder.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in women and it is the most preventable cause of death. Women should pay particular attention to these symptoms and seek immediate advice from a healthcare professional if these symptoms occur.
The following tips can help lower your risk of heart disease:
- Maintain a
regular schedule of aerobic
exercise
- Eat
heart-healthy
meals,
and if you are overweight, lose
weight
- Drink
in moderation--if
at all
- If you smoke--quit!
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