From dizziness to nausea, 6 heart attack warning signs that women should watch out for

2023 should be the year when we dispel the myth of heart attacks being a mostly male-centric health problem. It’s time to let go of this misconception once and for all. Recent research indicates that heart attack is the leading cause of death in women globally.

According to a 2021 study published in the medical journal Lancet, cardiovascular disease accounts for about 35 percent of women's deaths globally.

Most conversations about heart attacks centre around men. In an interview with The Indian Express, Dr. TS Kler, Chairman of Fortis Heart & Vascular Institute, reveals two possible reasons why heart health is so commonly associated with being a ‘male’ health issue. First of all, common heart disease triggers such as smoking, and alcohol addiction were more often attributed to men. Moreover, during their childbearing years, women are protected against cardiac problems due to active female hormones like estrogen.


However, post-menopause, women are as vulnerable to heart attacks as their male counterparts.

Heart Attack Symptoms Differ In Women
Female heart attacks often fly under the radar, underreported as the ‘red flags’ that signal a cardiac arrest, manifest differently in women. When it comes to men, common markers of a possible cardiac arrest, are chest pain/discomfort, and dull pain in the jaw or arms. For women, symptoms of an imminent heart attack may be more complex or atypical.

Some women may complain of experiencing incessant digestive problems. Others may experience frequent bouts of nausea, dizziness, or anxiety. In many cases, women themselves overlook symptoms. This leads to delays in diagnosis. Moreover, common treatments like angioplasty or bypass surgery are less likely to deliver favourable outcomes in women than in men, warns Dr. Kler.

Heart Attack Red Flags To Watch Out For
WebMD.com lays down some of the common warning signs of an impending heart attack in women:

Stomach Or Abdominal Pain

While it can be easy to dismiss stomach discomfort as digestive problems, if it persists, contact your health provider without delay.

Lightheadedness & Nausea

Are you often experiencing difficulty breathing or spells of unexplained dizziness? This may well be a sign that all is not well with your heart.

Incessant Sweating

Are you suddenly breaking out in sweat even in an air-conditioned room? Maybe it's time to take a trip to the doctor. Sudden, cold sweats, similar to those experienced when under stress, may indicate an impending heart attack.

Feeling Perpetually Tired

Unless you have been leading a rather hectic life or just got back from an intense workout session, feeling fatigued is not an ordinary occurrence. If you find yourself tired without rhyme or reason, consider getting a health checkup

Heart Palpitations

This one is a no-brainer. Experiencing pain or agony in the chest area has long been considered a prelude to heart attacks. If you are experiencing mild to severe palpitations or a feeling of squeezing or fullness on or near the chest area, be on the alert!

Pain In Arms & Jaw

Although many women may dismiss the discomfort or ache they feel with muscle pain, if it happens frequently, with no signs of subsiding, call your doctor up without dilly-dallying.