November 2018
You might think you know what a heart attack looks like—you clutch your chest in pain and fall to the ground. But heart attacks don’t always stick to this script—especially in women.
Here’s a look at some of the different heart attack symptoms in men and women.
In women
Women are more likely to have atypical and subtle symptoms during a heart attack, including:
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Fatigue. You may feel tired for days without a clear reason.
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Dull Pain. While chest pain is the most common sign, you may feel pain or discomfort in your neck, back, jaw, or stomach.
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Nausea. You may vomit or feel sick to your stomach.
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Shortness of breath. You may have a hard time breathing, even when sitting down.
In men
Men are more likely to experience the typical symptoms we associate with heart attacks, including:
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Severe chest pain. You may feel like someone is squeezing or heart or like you have a large weight on your chest.
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Shooting pain. You may feel a pain shooting down your left arm.
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Cold sweat. You may break out in a cold sweat.
Whether you’re a man or women, if you suspect you might be having a heart attack, call 911. Every second counts.
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