Posted on 04/02/2009 6:31:54 PM PDT by neverdem
Most people can spot the classic symptoms of a heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath, and radiating pain in the neck, back, jaw and arms.
But there may be a gender divide. While symptoms can vary greatly by person, studies show that men are more likely to exhibit classic signs. Women often experience symptoms not typically associated with heart attacks, which can appear weeks before the actual event, known to doctors as an acute myocardial infarction(AMI).
--snip--
But in a study financed by the National Institutes of Health, scientists focused on female heart patients, 515 of them. They found that in the weeks before their attacks, 70 percent reported severe, unexplained fatigue, 48 percent reported sleep disturbances, and slightly fewer than half had shortness of breath, indigestion and anxiety. During the attack, more than 50 percent had shortness of breath and weakness, and slightly fewer than half experienced extreme fatigue, a profuse cold sweat and dizziness. Other studies have had similar findings. The American Heart Association says chest pain is still the most common warning sign in both sexes; and while men can experience “atypical” symptoms as well, women should be particularly aware of them.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Women are more likely than men to experience nonclassic heart attack symptoms.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
It’s not a matter of “not fair,” it’s a matter of recognizing possible symptoms of a heart attack and realizing they may vary.
Take it like a man!
Stephen Sinatra, M.D. realized this years ago.
He wrote a book called “Heart Sense for Women” about this very subject.
Probably 90 percent of American women could cite “extreme fatigue” so it’s not hard to see why more women die from their attacks than men.
Two comments. I read a story awhile back about a woman in her 30’s who was training for a triathalon - she was former military and in great shape. She was having pain in upper back and neck and some mild flu-like symptoms. Turned out she had a heart attack.
My aunt went to the hospital complaining of flu-like symptoms and exhaustion. When she got there, they said, “Lady you are having a heart attack!” She was in her 60’s though and smokes like a chimney.
The first case is far scarier.
I’ve had two heart attacks, one ending in a double bypass and the other with a stent. Both times I had severe shoulder pain and labored breathing. Not your typical male heart attack for sure.
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