Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women

Women who suffer heart attacks often do not recognize the symptoms until the damage is already done. Here are the common symptoms of heart attacks in women.

1. Neck, shoulder, or upper-back discomfort
Pain caused by a blocked artery or abnormal heart rhythm does not have to occur directly around the heart. The pain can refer to many areas including the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper-back, or even the abdomen. Any such symptoms warrant a call for emergency medical help. Even if you are not having a heart attack, another serious condition could be present.

2. Shortness of breath
If your heart is having trouble pumping blood, oxygen is not getting into your body's cells fast enough, and this can cause your body to make up for the lack of oxygen by breathing more rapidly. Shortness of breath can be a sign of many things, so do not ignore it if you begin to experience it unexpectedly.

3. Sweating
Sweating is typical of the body trying to regulate itself in some way. Oftentimes your brain senses something is wrong before you are aware of it, and this "behind the scenes" awareness can cause you to start sweating.

4. Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
Sometimes dizziness or a lightheaded feeling can occur when standing up or while doing exercise. But if it doesn't quickly go away, it could be a sign of something more serious like a dangerous drop in blood pressure or a heart attack. Sit down to lower your risk of a fall and call for help.

5. Unusual fatigue
The heart is the body's main pump. It ensures that blood, oxygen, and nutrients get to where they need to go. If the heart is not functioning properly, it can lead to a feeling of tiredness or fatigue. Fatigue can be a sign of low blood oxygen, anemia, iron-deficiency, or a heart attack, all of which are serious and require a call for medical assistance.

6. Indigestion
When something is wrong, the body often slows down digestion to conserve energy. This can result in indigestion or heartburn. Do not assume that indigestion is caused by something you ate. Get it checked out by a health care professional.

7. Anxiety
Like sweating, anxiety is a response to stress, whether physical or mental. Low blood sugar, a potentially life-threatening condition, can trigger anxiety, as can an impending heart attack.

8. Sleep disturbances

9. Irregular heartbeat
Changes in your heart's rhythmic pattern could indicate an artery blockage or a problem with the amount of key minerals in your blood. Such changes can occur suddenly and are extremely serious. Call for emergency medical help if you detect an irregular heartbeat.

Experiencing any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean a heart attack is imminent, however, many women have experienced one or more of these symptoms within one month of having a heart attack. If you experience any of these symptoms, call for emergency medical help immediately. Do not take any chances.

Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/HB00040
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/women/symptoms.aspx