For the purpose of heart attacks, young women are classified as women 55 years of age or younger. About 40,000 young women are hospitalized each year because of heart attacks, according to the American Heart Association. In a study done by Yale School of Public Health's Judith Lichtman and colleagues, it was found that 42 percent of women didn't think that the symptoms that led to a trip to the emergency room were caused by heart problems, which illustrates that most women don't have classic heart attack symptoms.
Chest Discomfort
As is the case with a man, a young woman will often experience pain in her chest. The study by Lichtman and colleagues published by the American Heart Association reports that 90 percent of the women in the study, all 55 years old or younger, had chest pain. It is important to note that the chest pain might not be the severe chest pain often portrayed in movies. Additionally, the discomfort can be either constant or sporadic. The Mayo Clinic reports that women often report the chest discomfort comes in the form of pressure in the chest or discomfort in the back between the shoulder blades. Shortness of breath is another symptom of heart attack in young women, which occurred in 29 percent of participants in the Lichtman study. Indigestion and heartburn were also present in 21 percent of study participants.
Jaw and Shoulder Pain
Women might experience pain in the jaw or shoulder area. This symptom might happen in conjunction with chest pain. In the Lichtman study, 58 percent of participants reported this type of pain. The pain might radiate from the chest area or it might be a pain that feels like constant pressure.
Sweating, Weakness and Fatigue
A woman who is having a heart attack might experience profuse sweating or clammy skin. This occurred in 38 percent of the Litchman study participants. Fatigue and weakness were reported in 8 percent of study participants. Some women also experience panic that is accompanied by a sense of impending doom.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
The National Women's Health and Information Center reports that nausea or vomiting are symptoms that some women experience during a heart attack. The Litchman study states that 29 percent of participants experienced nausea.
