Men's And Women's Heart Attack Signs Differ

Not all heart attacks begin with sudden, crushing chest pain. Not only that, signs of a heart attack can differ in men and women. Knowing about the different symptoms can help save lives.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. Yet women are more likely to delay getting diagnosed and treated. Heart disease that’s underdiagnosed and undertreated in women can contribute to worse outcomes, said Stephen Cook, MD, a cardiologist at Franciscan Health Indiana Heart Physicians.

Understanding heart attack symptoms and how they may be overlooked is an important part of getting timely, lifesaving care.

Key Takeaways: Chest Pain And Heart Attack Symptoms

• Chest pain is common in men and women, but it may feel different or occur with other symptoms.
• Never ignore symptoms like jaw pain (jaw pain heart attack) or shortness of breath.
• Heart attack symptoms may be subtle or gradual, not always sudden or severe.

Men's And Women's Heart Attack Symptoms Can Be Different

For years, many people believed women mainly had heart attacks without having chest pain. But that’s not strictly true. 

“Women and men are equally likely to report chest pain,” Dr. Cook explained. What’s different is that women are more likely to have added symptoms. Sometimes this confuses the picture, which may keep a heart problem from being recognized and treated.

In a woman who already has chest discomfort, added symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, dizziness and others. According to Louis Janeira, MD, a cardiologist with Franciscan Physician Network who specializes in clinical cardiac electrophysiology, “Sometimes women have no chest pain at all … just profound fatigue and weakness or shortness of breath with activities they used to tolerate easily.” He added, “Back pain is another symptom that can occur in women and is often unexpected, which makes it easier to overlook.”

These are key warning signs in women, even without chest pain. But, because these symptoms can seem unrelated to the heart, they’re more likely to be dismissed or misdiagnosed.

Don't Wait To Seek Care

When it comes to a heart attack, every minute matters. 

Women are more likely to delay getting care. Often, it’s because their symptoms feel vague or they decide it’s something less serious like stress, indigestion or lack of sleep. It’s easy to overlook symptoms such as fatigue and heart disease.

Dr. Janeira explained that it’s common for women to think, “It’s something I ate” or “I just slept wrong,” especially when symptoms don’t match what they expect a heart attack to feel like.

If you notice warning signs such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue or atypical chest pain, don’t wait:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
• Seek emergency care as soon as possible.

When you get help quickly, you can reduce heart damage and save your life. If you’re not sure where to go, look for a nearby emergency room.

Common Heart Attack Symptoms For Men And Women

Women and men share many heart attack symptoms. Common warning signs include: 

• Chest pressure, pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw
• Unexplained fatigue

The symptoms may come on suddenly or slowly grow over time.

Heart attack symptoms that are common for men

Men are more likely to experience what are often thought of as “classic” heart attack symptoms: 

• Intense chest pressure or squeezing
• Pain radiating down the left arm
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Shortness of breath
• Stomach discomfort or indigestion

Because these symptoms are known as being related to heart attacks, men may be more likely to seek care right away.

Heart attack symptoms that are common for women

Women may have a broader range of symptoms that can be less clear-cut or more subtle. Common female heart attack signs include:

• Unusual or intense fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath, even at rest
• Anxiety or sleep disturbances
• Dull or aching pain in the back, neck, jaw or stomach

Some women may not have chest pain at all. Others may have mild or atypical chest pain that doesn’t feel severe.

Dr. Janeira stressed that women may feel unusually tired or weak. These are the kinds of symptoms that are easy to ignore but may signal a serious heart problem.

Men And Women Perceive Heart Attack Symptoms Differently

Not only can women and men have different symptoms of heart disease, but the genders also differ in how they perceive their symptoms. It’s important for women not to minimize or overlook their own symptoms.

Along with physical differences, men and women may not view or react to their symptoms in the same way. Women tend to: 

• Downplay or ignore symptoms
• Decide their discomfort is due to causes that aren’t heart-related
• Delay going to the emergency room

Dr. Janeira noted that, “Women often put others first, may downplay their own symptoms and think they’ll just push through it.”

At the same time, differences in treatment and diagnoses between women and men also play a role. According to Dr. Cook, women are less likely to receive certain diagnostic tests or treatments, including cardiac catheterization.

This combination of delayed care, symptom variations and healthcare disparities can raise the risk of complications from a heart attack.

Learn About The Different Heart Attack Symptoms

Heart attack symptoms aren’t always obvious, and they’re not the same for everyone. 

If something doesn’t seem right, it’s key to know the differences in heart attack symptoms between men and women. They may include signs like:

• Jaw pain
• Back pain
• Fatigue
• Atypical chest pain

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, don’t ignore it.

When To Talk To A Doctor

Know your risk factors and symptoms to help protect your heart health. 

If you’re concerned about your heart or risk for heart disease, connect with a provider. Have a doctor evaluate you to help identify issues before they become serious.

You can learn more about heart care services or schedule an appointment online. Franciscan Health’s cardiovascular specialists provide comprehensive care from prevention and diagnosis to advanced treatment options. Find a heart specialist near you and take the next step toward better heart health.