Early Warning Signs of Heart Attacks in Women

February is Heart Health Month! Know the signs.

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women.  Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Would you recognize the early signs of a heart attack?

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness. or pain in the center of your chest, which lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
• Nausea or vomiting, light-headedness or fainting, breaking out in a cold sweat

Womens' most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. Women are more likely than men to experience these other listed symptoms and usually attribute it to acid reflux, the flu, or the natural aging process. If you experience these symptoms especially the jaw pain, shortness of breath and nausea, call 911 and get to the hospital right away.

content provided by the American Heart Association