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A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is interrupted or suddenly blocked, depriving the heart of critical oxygen supply. If this condition is not treated promptly, the heart's muscles begin to die, and timely treatment can prevent or limit this damage. It is worth mentioning that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, killing 299,578 women in 2017 — about 1 in every f ive female deaths .
It is worth mentioning that heart attacks look different for men and women . Usually, women are less likely to experience classic heart attack symptoms. The most common symptom of a heart attack is mild or intense pain in the center or left side of the chest. This uneasiness may continue for several minutes or come and go. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. Some women do have symptoms, but they're often so mild that they don't recognize them as coming from their hearts.
However, chest pain is not the only symptom of a heart attack. Some people may not experience any chest pain at all. Experts say that women are more likely to have shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, and back or jaw pain.
As discussed earlier, chest pain may not always be present when a person suffers a heart attack, and there are many other s ymptoms in women that you must consider other
If your symptoms are mild, a silent heart attack may be causing them. These heart attacks are less likely to cause symptoms. Often, you may not know you have had one until days or even weeks later. Such silent attacks are common in women, especially those under 65 years.
People who have a silent heart attack might later recall having indigestion, the flu, or a strained chest muscle. But a silent heart attack involves blockage of blood flow to your heart and possible damage to the heart muscle, putting you at a greater risk of having another attack which could be deadly and lead to complications such as heart failure.
Your doctor may perform an electrocardiogram to identify whether you have had one, also known as an EKG or ECG. This non-invasive test uses small sensors attached to your chest and arms to record your heart's electrical activity. If testing does detect a silent heart attack, your doctor may suggest treatments like medication or c ardiac rehab .
The risk factors for a silent heart attack are the same as those for a heart attack with symptoms such as age, diabetes, excess weight, family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, prior heart attack, tobacco use, etc.
Although a heart attack may be the first thing that comes to mind, other common medical conditions can also cause similar symptoms. However, talk to your doctor or head to the nearest emergency room if you have minor signs. These medical conditions may include:
Staying healthy is easier than you might think. Some of the things that can be done to ensure that your heart is healthy are:
Making a few lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of heart attack and improve your overall health. However, talk to your healthcare provider before you embark on any lifestyle changes. They can work with you to create a customized plan to provide your heart with specialized care.