Think heart attack symptoms only mean chest pain? Cardiologist warns women of the other symptoms

Most people picture a heart attack as sharp chest pain that can’t be ignored. But what if that classic image is misleading—especially for women? Cardiologist Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj wants to set the record straight. After two decades in practice, he says one of the biggest myths about heart health is that chest pain is the only red flag. In reality, women often experience subtler, easily overlooked symptoms that can be just as dangerous.

On Instagram, Dr. Bhojraj explained that many women mistake nausea for the flu, dismiss fatigue as stress, or ignore nagging jaw and back pain until it’s too late. These signs don’t always fit the stereotype, but they can signal an impending heart attack. He added that countless women believe they’re low risk because their lab reports look fine or because they don’t match the “typical” patient profile. But once the real drivers are uncovered, they gain clarity and control—sometimes just in time.



“Heart attacks don’t wait,” Dr. Bhojraj warned in his post. “The question is: will you recognise the signs before they find you?”

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A post shared by Sanjay Bhojraj MD | Functional Medicine Doctor (@doctorsanjaymd)

Why are mornings 'high-alert' windows?

In another post, Dr. Bhojraj pointed out that mornings can be a “high-alert” zone for the heart. As the body shifts from sleep to wakefulness, stress hormones like cortisol spike, blood pressure climbs, and platelets turn stickier—setting the stage for artery blockages. He noted that the riskiest hours are between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., with a smaller danger window in the early evening. Skipping water, meds, or breakfast and diving straight into stress only makes that risk higher, he warned.