Cardiac or heart disease remains a leading cause of death in both men and women. According to the Texas Heart Institute, though men experience heart disease symptoms an average of 10 years earlier than women, cardiovascular disease actually affects more women than men. Heart disease symptoms are both similar and varying in men and women. Many women may not realize that they are suffering from cardiac disease due to vague or less typical signs of this disease in females. Women also prove less likely to recognize symptoms of a heart attack and seek emergency medical attention. Learning the symptoms of heart disease can help women receive early diagnoses and life-saving treatment.
Fatigue and Anxiety
The Cleveland Clinic reports that in a study of 515 women who suffered from acute cardiac disease, the most frequent symptoms included unusual fatigue, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, shortness of breath and anxiety. Unfortunately, these symptoms usually go unrecognized as warnings of a potential heart attack.
Digestive Symptoms
Indigestion, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and a feeling of fullness, burning or pressure in the abdomen prove common symptoms of cardiac disease in women. These symptoms may continue for up to a month before a heart attack occurs but women often ignore them as serious warnings.
Chest Pain and Discomfort
Only 30 percent of women reported symptoms of pain, aching, pressure, fullness or tightness in the chest, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Chest pain (angina) occurs more often in men and is readily recognized as a sign of cardiac disease. Women who experienced chest discomfort also reported the symptoms as sensations of tingling, burning or sharpness in the chest.
Deferred Body Pain
Cardiac symptoms in women include pain, tingling or numbness in the upper chest, upper back, arms, neck and jaw. Men prove more likely to experience pain or numbness in the left side of the chest, shoulders, arms, upper back and neck, which are more typical signs of heart disease.
Additional Symptoms
Other symptoms of heart disease that occur for women and require immediate treatment include irregular heartbeat, weakness and dizziness. These symptoms may occur for some time before a heart attack occurs.
