Heart attacks have a beginning. These signs, sometimes called “pre-heart attack symptoms,” can appear days or weeks ahead of the actual heart attack. While there are common signs regardless of gender, there may be some unique symptoms that tend to affect women more than men.
Early signs and symptoms of a heart attack may occur in 50% of patients. Recognizing the beginning of a heart attack means treatment can begin before any damage.
Someone might have one or more of these common symptoms. When they start, they can be mild or come and go. Over time, the symptoms and pain become more intense. Stay alert and always pay attention to chest pressure.
- Back pain
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pressure, squeezing, aching or burning
- Feeling of fullness
- Pain that travels down one or both arms
- Jaw pain
- Excessive fatigue or weakness
- Anxiety
Some symptoms aren’t typical, but should be taken seriously
- A sharp or “knife-like” pain that occurs with coughing or breathing
- Pain that spreads above the jawbone or into the lower body
- Difficult or labored breathing
Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms – Female
Because women can have unique heart attack symptoms, they may be less likely to seek immediate medical care that could prevent heart damage.
- Men may feel pain and numbness in the left arm or the side of the chest. In women, these symptoms may appear on the right side.
- Women may experience unexplained exhaustion, or feel drained, dizzy or nauseous.
- Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into their jaw.
- Women may think their stomach pain is the flu, heartburn or an ulcer.
