Signs Of A Heart Attack In Women That Get Missed
Researchers have learned that symptoms of heart attack can be very different, especially for men and women. The most common signs of a heart attack are the same for both, as the table below shows. But there are many symptoms women are more likely to have that are less expected:
Although having crushing chest pain is not unusual for women experiencing a heart attack, more often than not they have a combination of less-recognized symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Women tend to attribute those types of symptoms to non-life threatening conditions that are not heart related, such as acid reflux, the flu or even stress and anxiety.
Rather than getting medical care, women are more likely to wait it out, hoping symptoms go away, with heart-damaging and life-threatening consequences.
Heart Attack Statistics By Age
Heart attacks have been the major cause of death across the world. The heart attack statistics available to us from sources in the medical field support this fact clearly. So, in this article, let us go through some statistics to understand the connection between heart attacks and the age of a person.
Heart attacks have been the major cause of death across the world. The heart attack statistics available to us from sources in the medical field support this fact clearly. So, in this article, let us go through some statistics to understand the connection between heart attacks and the age of a person.
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is caused due to a blockage in the flow of blood to the heart. The main cause of heart attacks is believed to be fatty deposits on the walls of arteries. Fat deposits leads to the narrowing of the arteries and they get ruptured, leading to clotting of bloodstream. The statistics related heart attacks, by age, reveals that this ailment leads to more deaths as compared to various other serious ailments. Family history, work related stress, lack of proper sleep, smoking, drinking excessively and lack of exercise are the main reasons for heart attacks. Given below are some heart attack statistics which you need to read carefully to get an idea of how heart attacks affect people of different ages.
Epidemiology And Role Of Menopause
It is assumed that exposure to endogenous oestrogens during the fertile period of life delays the manifestation of atherosclerotic disease in women. Before menopause the CHD event rate in women is low and predominantly attributed to smoking. Women with an early menopause have a two-year lower life expectancy compared with women with a normal or late menopause. Data from the Framingham Heart Study suggest that a harmful cardiovascular risk profile may be more cause than consequence of age at menopause. In the Womens Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation study it was shown that young women with endogenous oestrogen deficiency have a more than sevenfold increase in coronary artery risk. Oestrogens have a regulating effect on several metabolic factors, such as lipids, inflammatory markers and the coagulant system. They also promote a direct vasodilatory effect through the and receptors in the vessel wall. Furthermore, signs of subclinical atherosclerosis, as visualised by intima-media thickness measurements, can already be found in women before menopause, especially when several CHD risk factors are present. Flow-mediated vasoreactivity by brachial artery measurements declines with the time elapsed since menopause. After menopause atherosclerotic plaque composition changes into more vulnerable lesions with inflammatory factors involved.
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Women’s Heart Attacks Are Different Than Men’s
American Heart Association points out critical differences in new scientific statement
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Jan. 25, 2016 — Heart attacks in women often have different causes and symptoms than those in men, and they’re deadlier, too.
That’s the premise of a scientific statement from the American Heart Association that hopes to raise awareness about key differences in heart attack indicators and treatment in women.
Women who don’t recognize their heart attack symptoms won’t seek needed medical care, said Dr. Gregg Fonarow, professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“These delays in care contribute to higher mortality rates experienced by women, particularly younger women,” he said.
Worldwide, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women. Since 1984 in the United States, heart attack survival has improved for women. But the heart death rates among women still outpace heart deaths in men, according to the AHA statement.
The new statement reviews current scientific evidence, points out gaps in knowledge and discusses the need for more research in women, said Dr. Laxmi Mehta. She is chair of the statement writing group and director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program at Ohio State University Medical Center.
Mehta knows firsthand the dangers that heart disease pose to women. “I was inspired to write this as both my grandmothers died from heart attacks at age 60 and had presented with atypical symptoms,” she said.
How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Heart Disease
To lower your chances of getting heart disease, its important to do the following:7
- Know your blood pressure. Having uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to heart disease. High blood pressure has no symptoms, so its important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Learn more about high blood pressure.
- Talk to your doctor or health care team about whether you should be tested for diabetes. Having uncontrolled diabetes raises your risk of heart disease.8 Learn more about diabetes.
- Quit smoking. If you dont smoke, dont start. If you do smoke, learn ways to quit.
- Discuss checking your blood cholesterol and triglycerides with your doctor. Learn more about cholesterol.
- Make healthy food choicesexternal icon. Having overweight or obesity raises your risk of heart disease. Learn more about overweight and obesity.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink to one drink a day. Learn more about alcohol.
- Manage stress levels by finding healthy ways to cope with stress. Learn more about coping with stress.
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Compared To Men Women Receive Half The Number Of Heart Attack Treatments
Does having a heart attack shorten your life? Well, it might, especially for women. Specifically, about 15% of women whove experienced a heart attack received coronary revascularisation , compared to 34% of men. Shockingly, only 16% of women received preventative treatment , opposed to 26% of their male counterparts.
And Symptoms Can Last For Weeks
Because women, especially those under 55, are less likely to have complete blockages, their symptoms may appear gradually and seem less severe than mens. They present with what we call atypical symptomsvague symptoms like fatigue, nausea and vomiting, says Dr. Bruemmer. Other symptoms in women may include: dizziness sweating pain in places like the jaw, either arm, shoulder, back, or stomach
He adds that its important to note how vague and mild symptoms in women can begin three to four weeks before a heart attack strikes.
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Why Heart Disease Goes Undiagnosed In Women
Australian women are more likely to die from heart disease than breast cancer. This is partly because heart disease is often not recognised in women. The reasons for this include:
- Women often develop symptoms of heart disease at a much later stage in the illness than men.
- Symptoms can be more vague or non-specific in women.
- Women are less likely to seek help quickly.
- Some diagnostic tests for heart disease are less accurate in women than in men.
- Some health professionals may be less likely to check for heart disease in women.
There is also less community awareness of the risk of heart disease in females. Many Australian women mistakenly assume that heart disease mostly affects middle-aged men, which is not the case.
What Do I Do If Im Having A Heart Attack
If you experience any of these signs or symptoms:
- Dial 911 immediately, follow the operators instructions and get to a hospital right away.
- Dont drive yourself to the hospital.
- Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for the emergency responders.
Women who think theyre healthy often misread the symptoms of a heart attack because they dont think it could happen to them. Thats why its crucial to learn about heart attack, know your numbers and live heart-healthy.
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Heart Attacks In Women
Until recently, research on heart attacks focused mainly on men. However, studies now show that some of the symptoms of heart attacks in women are different from those in men.
Too often, the signs of heart attacks go unnoticed in women . They may think that other health problems or drug side effects are causing their symptoms or that the symptoms will go away on their own. As a result, women don’t always get the health care they need to prevent complications or death from a heart attack.
Chest pain is the most common symptom in both sexes, but women may also experience these other symptoms:
- unusual fatigue that gets worse with activity
- difficulty breathing
- heartburn that is unrelieved by antacids
- nausea and/or vomiting that is unrelieved by antacids
- anxiety
- tightening and pain in the chest that may extend into the neck, jaws and shoulders
- general feeling of weakness
- paleness
- sweating.
Some women may have few of these symptoms, while others may have all of them at the same time. Symptoms may suddenly appear and then disappear. Also, women often report symptoms up to one month before the heart attack. If a woman has any of these symptoms and thinks she may be having a heart attack, she should immediately call emergency or go to the nearest emergency medical centre.
For Men Heart Attack Symptoms Usually Come On Fast
Plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to heart attacks in both men and womenbut how that plaque triggers one can be very different. Among men, plaque often suddenly ruptures, or breaks apart. The bodys emergency response system forms a protective blood clot. Unfortunately, that clot can block an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to your ticker, causing a heart attack. Such ruptures account for 75% of all heart attacks in men but only 55% in women.
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High Total Cholesterol Doubles The Risk Of Heart Disease
People with high total cholesterol levels have approximately twice the risk of heart disease. Thus, theres an increased heart attack possibility percentage. Thats why one should try their best to manage cholesterol levelslimit alcohol intake, exercise for at least 30 minutes, avoid saturated fat, and quit smoking.
How Does Heart Disease Affect Men
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, killing 357,761 men in 2019thats about 1 in every 4 male deaths.1
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, including African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Hispanics, and whites. For Asian American or Pacific Islander men, heart disease is second only to cancer.2
- About 1 in 13 white men and 1 in 14 black men have coronary heart disease. About 1 in 17 Hispanic men have coronary heart disease.3
- Half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.4 Even if you have no symptoms, you may still be at risk for heart disease.
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Heart Attack: Men Vs Women
A heart attack occurs when heart disease has reached the point that blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly. A heart attack is a circulation problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem. In a heart attack if the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally nourished by that artery begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage. Symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate and intense. More often, though, symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or weeks before a heart attack. Heart disease is most often the cause of a heart attack.
SIGNS OF HEART DISEASE Heart and blood vessel disease also called heart disease includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke. The first sign of heart disease is often a heart attack or other serious event. But, there are a few important signs that can help you recognize problems before they come to a head.
Know The Signs Of A Heart Attack And Call 911
Take time to learn the signs of a heart attack the familiar and not-so-familiar ones. It’s true, symptoms of a heart attack can sometimes be signs of other health problems.
If you or someone you’re with is experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them or take time to self-diagnose. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately for help. Every minute counts. The sooner you get medical help, the more you reduce the risk of heart damage or death.
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Widowmaker Heart Attack Survival Statistics Point To A 12% Survival Rate
One of the most horrifying heart attacks is the widowmaker. For those of you who dont know what that isits a heart attack caused by a blockage in the main artery, which comes down the front of the heart. Based on widowmaker heart attack statistics, if one experiences this kind of heart attack outside of the hospital, their survival rate is only 12%.
Determining Heart Disease Risk In Women
Women and men share many heart disease risk factors, but recent studies are showing what previous male-focused studies have not shown: Women also have their own unique heart disease risk factors.
Traditional risk factors common to both women and men:
- Family history
- Metabolic syndrome the co-existence of high blood pressure, obesity, and high glucose and triglyceride levels
- High levels of C-reactive protein a sign of inflammatory disease that can occur along with other cardiovascular risk factors
Some risk factors that relate specifically to women or that can affect women disproportionately include:
- Relatively high testosterone levels prior to menopause
- Increasing hypertension during menopause
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis more common in women than in men
- Stress and depression also more common among women
- Low risk factor awareness Lack of recognition of many of the above conditions as risk factors for heart disease is a risk factor in itself
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Sudden Cardiac Arrest Isnt Always So Sudden
But when these symptoms appear when theyre actually having a heart attack, they think the symptoms are going to go away again, but they dont, McSweeney said.
Consequently, women might wait longer before going to the hospital, McSweeney suggested. And those differences can complicate the diagnostic process when those women do seek medical help.
The symptoms, if theyre not completely classic, dont trigger alarm bells in patients themselves or the people initially taking care of them, Gerhard-Herman said.
Theres also a gender gap when it comes to heart attack outcomes. Women are prone to more complications than men after a heart attack, in part because their blood vessels are typically smaller. Women are also prescribed the recommended interventions including cardiac rehabilitation and medications less frequently than are men. The reasons for that arent clear.
Preventing Heart Disease In Women And Men
Women often focus on looking after partners, children or ageing parents, but it’s important for women also to prioritise their own health.
In Australia, 9 in every 10 women have one risk factor for heart disease, and half of all women have 2 or 3 risk factors. The risk factors for heart disease in both in women and men include high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Women can also have the added risk factors of pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes , which may increase the chances of developing heart disease later in life.
Whether you’re a woman or a man, you will reduce your risk of developing heart disease if you:
- know the risk factors for heart disease
- talk to your doctor about ‘cardiovascular screening’ based on your family history and risk factors
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High Blood Pressure Causes 47% Of Coronary Heart Diseases
As its other name, silent killer, indicates, high blood pressure rarely shows any symptoms. However, if not controlled, it can be harmful and even accelerate the heart attack frequency. Measuring it is the only way to know whether you have it. One should also aim to make some lifestyle changes or take some medicine to lower hypertension and reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Treatment After A Heart Attack Is Often Less Aggressive For Women
After surviving a heart attack, women are at greater risk for blood clots that can cause another heart attack, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Yet, for unknown reasons theyre less likely to receive medication to prevent blood clots, which may explain why women are more likely to have a second heart attack within 12 months. Women are also less likely to be referred to a cardiac rehabilitation facility for heart health education and exercise, nutrition, and stress relief guidance. Over the past 30 years, fewer than one in five women whove had heart attacks received cardiac rehab care.
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