New Jersey Cardiologists ask: Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack? Many people don't. Many believe what they've seen of people having a heart attack on TV and in movies.
You know what I mean, right? A man has intense chest pain and suddenly clutches at his chest and falls over. Well, that is not even fully accurate for men. Even though chest pain IS a major sign of a heart attack, it is far from the only symptom.
Women often have different heart attack symptoms than men
The simple TV depiction of a heart attack is even worse for women. They, too, may have pain in the center of the chest. However, it may feel more like pressure, squeezing, or fullness than pain. In addition, women are much more likely than men to have:
- pain in the back, arms, neck, jaw, or upper body
- breaking out in a cold sweat
- shortness of breath
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- lightheadedness
- sudden feelings of weakness, fatigue, or anxiety
A recent study from the European Heart Journal has found that women tend to ignore these symptoms, and wait far too long before calling for help. The researchers analyzed data from 4,360 patients over a 16 year period. They and found that women wait an average of 37 minutes longer to call 911 than men do.
Every minute counts if you have a heart attack, so CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
Speaking as the best heart doctors in Bergen County, we urge all of our female patients to learn more about the symptoms of heart attack in women. If you start to notice these symptoms, CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY. Don't wait and hope the symptoms will "clear up" or go away.
Delays in seeking help for a heart attack can literally be fatal. The faster you can get to an emergency room and be treated, the better your chances are of surviving. Speedy treatment can also reduce the amount of damage done to the heart muscle during the attack. This lowers your risk of subsequent heart problems.
At Cross County Cardiology - Mount Sinai, we don't want you to be caught off guard and experience a heart attack. For any age or sex, we highly recommend that you schedule an appointment or consultation with our heart experts. It could just save your life. Call 201-499-7361 today to stay on top of your health. For more information about any of these subjects, please consult our website at www.crosscountycardiology.com.
