Cardiology Services for Women

We all think we know to tell whether or not we are having a heart attack. But, when it comes to women, what we think we know may not necessarily be the truth.

That's right. Women's heart attack symptoms can be completely different than men's.

It's a little-known fact. Which is why, many times, women's heart attack symptoms are not properly identified, and are often mistaken for something less serious, which can lead to big trouble.

But, the following are a few symptoms that women are more likely to experience than men:

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Nausea or light-headedness
• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back

Of course, there is no way to predict how a heart attack will present itself. And, as with men, the most common heart attack symptom women experience is chest pain or discomfort.

So, if you ever have any of these signs (particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting or back or jaw pain) and believe you might be having a heart attack, don't wait. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.

Knowing what to look for could very well save your life, or the life of a loved one. Because, believe it or not, heart disease—not cancer—is the number one threat to women's health in the United States.

Our Women's Heart Team

Poonam Puri, MD