Heart attacks are a major health concern, especially for older adults. However, the symptoms of a heart attack can be very different in men and women, which can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Understanding these differences is important because early medical help can save lives.
For decades, heart disease was seen as a “man’s disease,” but research has shown that it is the leading cause of death for both men and women. However, many women do not realize they are at risk, partly because their symptoms can be different from the classic signs most people associate with heart attacks.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that women are more likely than men to have symptoms that are less obvious, which can make it harder for them to recognize when they are having a heart attack.
Men are more likely to experience the “classic” heart attack symptoms, such as intense chest pain or pressure that feels like something heavy is sitting on their chest. This pain often spreads to the left arm, jaw, or back.
They may also break out in a cold sweat, feel dizzy, or have trouble breathing. These symptoms are well known, and because they are so dramatic, men often recognize them and seek medical help quickly.
Older women, however, often experience different or less obvious symptoms. While some women do have chest pain, many do not. Instead, they may feel extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, or discomfort in the upper back, shoulders, or jaw.
Some women describe their symptoms as pressure or tightness rather than pain, which can make them easier to dismiss. A study from the New England Journal of Medicine found that nearly half of women who had heart attacks reported having symptoms like unusual tiredness or trouble sleeping in the days or weeks before the attack.
Because these symptoms don’t seem as serious as severe chest pain, many women delay going to the hospital, increasing their risk of serious complications or death.
One reason for these differences may be that heart disease affects men and women differently. In men, heart attacks are usually caused by a sudden blockage in a major artery. In women, blockages can occur in smaller blood vessels, a condition called small vessel disease or microvascular disease, which may cause different symptoms. Hormonal differences also play a role.
Estrogen helps protect women from heart disease before menopause, but after menopause, their risk increases significantly. Research from the American Heart Association has shown that women over 65 are just as likely as men to have heart attacks, but their symptoms are often overlooked.
Because women’s symptoms can be harder to recognize, they are less likely to receive quick treatment. Studies have found that women are more likely to be sent home from the emergency room without being diagnosed or treated for a heart attack. This delay can be deadly because the sooner a person receives treatment, the better their chances of survival.
The key takeaway is that both men and women should be aware of the symptoms of heart attacks, including the less common ones. Older women should not ignore symptoms like unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the upper body. If something feels off, it’s better to seek medical attention right away.
Doctors and medical professionals are becoming more aware of these differences, but awareness among the general public is just as important. The sooner a heart attack is recognized, the better the chances of survival and recovery.
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