Signs of Heart Attacks in Men and Women - by Dr. Arnab Ghosh

 

A Comprehensive Guide to Different Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Men and Women

Heart attack is the no 1 cause of premature deaths across the globe. According to World Health Organization (WHO), almost 18 million people are losing their lives each year due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and 80 percent of CVD deaths are occurred due to heart attacks.

However, heart attack is the most challenging concern for medical science nowadays. A huge number of people remain unaware globally of their signs of heart attacks. Millions of deaths can be prevented by managing risk factors that lead to heart attacks through lifestyle modification and medicinal treatment where necessary.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack, clinically known as myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency typically characterized by a complete or partial blockage of a coronary artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the heart. A variety of factors such as calcium, fibrin, blood cells, and cholesterol can compose a plaque that can block the blood supply in the blood vessel.

Types of Heart Attacks

A heart attack occurs while the heart doesn’t get enough supply of blood. It’s a form of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in which the coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply blood, nutrients, and oxygen to the heart) get blocked.

In general, based on changes to ECG, heart attacks can be classified as follows –

• STEMI – ST-elevation myocardial infarction 
• NSTEMI – non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction 
• Coronary artery spasm

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Causes of Heart Attacks

Certain cardiac conditions such as atherosclerosis can cause heart attacks. A blood vessel spasm can also cause a heart attack. Other causes of heart attacks include torn blood vessels, blood clots, and more.  

 

Risk Factors of Heart Attacks

American Heart Association (AHA) has disclosed diverse types of risk factors. Certain risk factors can be modified and controlled, others can’t.

• Gender – men are more likely to develop heart attack risk factors than women.
• Family history – heart attack risks may flow through heredity.
• Age - age more than 65 is at higher risk. 
• Race – certain races such as African descent are more likely to develop the risk of heart attacks.. 

Some modifiable risk factors include -  

• Hypertension – hypertension is one of the most common causes of heart attacks.
• High cholesterol – high cholesterol in the blood is also a very common risk factor.
• Smoking – smoking is a major risk factor for coronary heart diseases that can lead to a sudden heart attack.
• Obesity – excess body fat causes a variety of diseases including diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension that may cause a heart attack.
• Inadequate physical activity – inactive lifestyle increases the risk of cardiac diseases as well as heart attacks.

·         Stress and depression – there is a link between stress and heart attacks.  

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attacks

Signs and symptoms of heart attacks aren’t the same for all people. Signs of heart attacks may show up in different ways depending on a wide range of factors such as gender, age, and associated heart conditions.

Symptoms that occurred in men are quite different than in women. Women are more likely to develop atypical signs or asymptomatic risk factors of heart attacks.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Men

Men are more susceptible to heart attack compared to women. Men also experience heart attack incidences earlier in life in comparison to women. Men who have a family history of cardiovascular diseases or have a history of smoking, hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes are more prone to heart attacks.

Signs of heart attacks in men include -

•  Persistent pain in the chest with a sensation of squeezing that may be intermittent or constant.
• Pain and discomfort in the upper body including left shoulder, arm, back, jaw, neck, or upper stomach.
• Irregular and rapid heartbeat.
• Indigestion and stomach discomfort.
• Breathing difficulty or shortness of breath.
• Headaches and dizziness.
• Often break out in cold sweat.

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Women

In extensive researches on heart attacks, medical scientists have found that heart attack symptoms and signs might be different in women than in men. According to the journal “Circulation” of the American Heart Association (AHA), the most frequently reported signs didn’t include pain in the chest. Instead, women are more likely to report difficulty in breathing, unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, nausea, and vomiting.

Around 80 percent of women reported experiencing at least one or two symptoms for more than 4 weeks before the incidence of a heart attack. Most women remain unaware that they are at high risk of heart attacks, therefore, they usually won’t seek any medical attention and the risk factors become deadlier.

Signs of heart attacks in women include -  

• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.
• Unusual fatigue for a long period or sudden.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Jaw and back pain.
• Lightheadedness.
• Indigestion or pain in the upper stomach.
• Pain in chest that may refer to arm.

·   It’s important to keep in mind that these are generic and most common signs and symptoms of heart attacks. However, each incidence of heart attack is unique and different. Your personal signs and symptoms may not match with the common symptoms. Trust your instincts if you feel something is wrong with your heart health, seek a medical checkup immediately.

Treatment and Prevention

A variety of treatment or management options are offered by hospitals and medical clinics. Treatment ranges include medication, stents, and cardiac bypass surgery. Cardiac rehabilitation and lifestyle changes also have a vital role in the management and prevention of heart attacks.

Final Words

If you are at risk of heart attack, you may demonstrate high blood pressure, high glucose levels, and high cholesterol as well as obesity and overweight. And these risk factors can be easily managed by primary health care facilities. Identifying these risk factors and taking appropriate treatment can help you prevent your heart attack occurrence.

Besides, a huge number of heart attacks can be prevented by certain lifestyle interventions such as avoiding smoking, harmful use of alcohol, late-night sleep, physical inactivity, and developing a healthy diet plan with low intake of sugar, salt, oil, etc. Regular mild to moderate exercises such as walking, jogging, and skipping are some of the most essential habits to reduce your risks of heart attacks.