Although heart disease may often be thought of as a problem for men, it is the most common cause of death for both women and men in the U.S. If you are a woman that has one or more of the symptoms below or believe you may be experiencing a heart attack, seek help immediately.
1.
Fatigue and weakness: When was the last
time you didn’t feel exhausted? While fatigue can be a
symptom of life, it can also be caused by decreased blood flow to the brain. If
your heart doesn’t pump as it should, oxygen- and glycogen-rich blood, which
your body needs for energy, won’t fuel your organs.
2.
Feelings of anxiety: A rapid heartbeat and
sweating can easily be confused for your typical anxiety, but they can also be signs of
a heart attack. If you feel these sensations when you are otherwise calm or
while participating in a calming activity, your nerves may be reacting to your
heart’s overexertion.
3.
Nausea, vomiting, and feelings of indigestion: Similar nerves supply
the stomach and the heart, while some areas of the heart, when injured, can
cause nausea. As acid reflux causes pain right behind the heart, heart attacks
in women can feel like a simple case of eating too much food.
4.
Shortness of breath: Getting winded
during an exercise class is one thing, and getting winded while watching TV is
another. A heart attack can decrease the pumping function of the heart while
increasing blood pressure in the heart and lungs. The result is difficulty
breathing.
5.
Sleep disturbance: During sleep apnea,
the upper airway becomes completely or partially blocked, interrupting
breathing and decreasing the amount of blood pumped to the heart. This increases
your chance of having a heart attack, or dying by 30 percent over a period of
four to five years. If you wake up and still can’t catch your breath, you may
be suffering from a heart attack.
6.
Upper body discomfort: Heart attacks
strike more than under your breasts. Many women also experience neck, jaw,
back, and shoulder pain during heart attacks, since the nerves that supply
these areas also supply the heart.
“No wonder women have achieved a more equal
footing with men in areas they never fought for -- ulcers, hypertension, and
heart attacks. We're racing around trying to be all things to all people,
burdened by a brutal mix of ambition, anxiety, and guilt.” (Kathie Lee Gifford) [i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“6 Often-Missed Heart Attack Symptoms in Women” by Ellen Dolgen
·
“Heart Disease in Women: Understand Symptoms and Risk Factors” by Mayo Clinic Staff
This
post is dedicated to my good friend, Betty Willer.
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