Each year, more than 8.6 million die of heart disease every year all over the world. This means that about one-third of all women's deaths are caused by heart disease. A higher percentage of women each year die of heart attack than men.

Women experience heart attack for different reasons. One reason women are thought to experience heart attacks differently than men is thought to be the distribution of plaque throughout the body.

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women?

Don't trust what you see on television. The symptoms in women may look a lot different from the symptoms you see in men. These are just a few symptoms to be on the lookout for.

Chest pain - People expect to look for chest pain in heart attack patients, but women experience squeezing all over the chest rather than on the left side as is typically thought. The pain feels like tightening in the chest.

Jaw pain - You may feel a sudden or gradual pain building in the jaw or even in the neck.

Back pain - Back pain often grows so intense that it wakes you up in the middle of the night. It may present as the first heart attack symptom.

Stomach pain - Stomach pain is easy to confuse with an ulcer, heartburn, or even the flu. You may feel heavy pressure building on your stomach, almost as if you have bad acid reflux.

Sweating - You might begin to break out in a cold sweat or in hot flashes, almost as if you were nervous. This sweating may be more reminiscent of stress-related circumstances rather than from something like exercising.

Fatigue - Some women begin experiencing heart attack symptoms simply by feeling more tired than usual.

How Can You Prevent a Heart Attack?

Women who are susceptible to heart attack should begin lessening the risks as early on as possible. This means that you should stop smoking and begin exercising at least 30 minutes each day. You may need to modify your diet as well. You should also bring up your potential risk for heart disease with your doctor during your next visit.

If you do believe that you are experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, seek emergency assistance immediately by calling an ambulance. Do not dismiss even the most subtle heart attack symptoms. In paying close attention to the symptoms, you could be saving your own life. Contact a medical office like Snow Creek Medical Center for more information and assistance. 

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