The following are classic warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack:
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Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
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Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms
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Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
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Atypical chest pain, stomach or abdominal pain
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Nausea or dizziness (without chest pain)
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Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing (without chest pain)
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Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
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Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness
Women and Heart Disease
For women, the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can be very different than those for men, and most women aren't aware of that. According to the American Heart Association, fewer than eight percent of women view heart disease as being a major threat to women's health.
Here are the facts every woman should know:
- Many times, women having a heart attack don't have classic signs. They may experience abdominal or mid-back pain, jaw pain, indigestion or extreme fatigue, rather than radiating chest pain.
- Most women - more than 50% - don't realize that smoking will lower the age at which they might have a heart attack.
- Women with risk factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, are 2 1/2 to 3 times more likely to die from sudden cardiac arrest.
While your risk of heart disease increases with age and the onset of menopause, you can start making small changes now - no matter what your age - that will have a big impact on your heart's health.
