For many women, a heart attack doesn’t begin with the dramatic chest pain they expect. While both men and women can experience classic chest pain, women are more likely to have early symptoms that are subtle or easy to explain away. Knowing what to watch for can help you recognize a potential emergency sooner and get care when it matters most.

In Hickory, North Carolina, providers at Frye Regional Medical Center regularly see women delay care because their symptoms don’t match the dramatic signs often portrayed on TV. During American Heart Month and throughout the year, raising awareness is essential for early detection and better outcomes.

Why Women Delay Care

Women often prioritize family, work, and daily responsibilities, which can lead them to downplay symptoms. This uncertainty can cause some women to wait and see if symptoms improve, seek reassurance from a primary care provider, or worry about overreacting. Because heart attacks are still widely associated with sudden, severe chest pain, more subtle warning signs may not immediately signal an emergency.

Why Women’s Symptoms Can Be Different

Heart attack symptoms in women don’t always present the same way they do in men. Women often develop symptoms caused by reduced blood flow to the heart (ischemia), which can feel more gradual or diffuse than the sudden chest pain people expect. These symptoms may appear during routine activities, after emotional stress, or even at rest. Some symptoms begin days or even weeks before a heart attack, making them easier to overlook. Because the warning signs aren’t always obvious, understanding the symptoms women are more likely to experience can help you recognize when something isn’t right.

Common Early Symptoms Women May Notice

• Chest Discomfort: This discomfort may feel like pressure, fullness, burning, tightness, or mild aching. It may come and go rather than feel severe or sudden.
• Shortness of Breath: Shortness of breath may appear with or without chest discomfort. Some women notice it while lying down, climbing stairs, or doing light activity that normally feels easy.
• Unusual Fatigue: Extreme or unexplained fatigue, especially when it lasts several days or feels disproportionate to activity, is a common early warning sign in women.
• Pain in the Neck, Jaw, Shoulder, or Upper Back: Some women describe an aching or tight sensation that can spread into the upper back, neck, or jaw.
• Nausea, Indigestion, or Stomach Pain: These symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal issues, but when paired with other symptoms, they may indicate heart trouble.
• Lightheadedness or Dizziness: Feeling faint or suddenly weak may signal reduced blood flow.

Additional signs can include cold sweats, anxiety, arm pain, or sudden shortness of breath.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Call 911 immediately if symptoms last more than a few minutes, worsen, or feel unusual for your body. Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve — early treatment saves heart muscle.

How Women Can Lower Their Risk

Lowering your risk often starts with everyday choices. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and avoiding tobacco all support overall heart health. Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar along with maintaining a healthy weight can further reduce strain on the heart, while consistent sleep and stress management help your body recover and function at its best.

Talk With a Provider

If you’ve experienced symptoms or have risk factors, a primary care provider can help you understand your risk and take proactive steps for your heart health.

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