Heart attack: main differences in symptoms in men and women

Symptoms of a heart attack can be very different in men and women, doctors remind.

A heart attack occurs when an artery that supplies the heart with blood and oxygen is blocked by a blood clot (thrombus) or a “plug” made of cholesterol plaques. This condition is potentially fatal and requires immediate medical attention. The problem is that a heart attack can manifest itself in such a way that the seriousness of the situation is not always clear – it may not seem like a very dangerous problem.

It is especially difficult to identify attacks in women, experts of the British Heart Foundation warn. According to experts, “while men usually have typical symptoms of a heart attack, which include chest pressure and pain, women are more likely to have uncommon and atypical symptoms.”

According to the Foundation, the main symptoms of heart attacks include the following changes in well-being.

  • Pain or discomfort in the chest (pressure, shame), which occurs suddenly and does not go away.
  • Pain in the sternum, which can radiate to the arm or neck, or the jaw, back, stomach.
  • < li>Shortness of breath and dizziness.

  • Sudden feeling of anxiety, reminiscent of a panic attack.
  • Strong cough or wheezing.

Also, doctors explained that in what are the main differences in the symptoms of a heart attack in men and women.

  • Women more often than men feel pain outside the chest – in the back, jaws.
  • Women more often experience atypical symptoms – for example, nausea or vomiting, fainting and loss of balance, severe fatigue.
  • For men, it is typical to feel the pressure of the chest as if from a heavy load, while women often experience an attack without pressure in the chest.
  • < li>Symptoms of a heart attack in women often resemble digestive problems – for example, they feel discomfort, pain or pressure in the upper abdomen. In men, a heart attack usually corresponds to classic symptoms.

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Author: alex

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