Heart attack symptoms in women

Heart attack symptoms in women are different than in men, says Elizabeth Reineck, MD, interventional cardiologist with AAMC.

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women and Men

• Chest pain

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Jaw pain
• Weakness
• Back pain

“Women don’t always have the classic ‘there’s an elephant sitting on my chest’ pain,” says Dr. Reineck. “So if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Come in and have it checked out.”

Some women show no symptoms at all. So it’s important to pay attention to five traditional risk factors, says Kelley Sullivan, MD, cardiologist with AAMC:

• • A family history of early heart disease (before age 60)

• • Smoking

• • High cholesterol

• • High blood pressure

• Diabetes and/or obesity

Authors

Elizabeth Reineck, MD, is an interventional cardiologist with AAMC.

Kelley Sullivan, MD, is a cardiologist with AAMC.