Treatment is often delayed for women who suffer a heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI). This is because symptoms may be less dramatic than those caused by heart attacks in men. Delays in the treatment of an MI can reduce the chances of survival. More women than men die of cardiovascular disease each year, according to the Mayo Clinic. The American Heart Association says that heart attack is the number one killer of women over the age of 25 in the United States.
Subtle Signs
Chest pressure or discomfort can occur in men or women and is a classic symptom of MI. But women are just as likely to experience a lump in the throat, nausea, vomiting, or pain in the shoulders, neck and upper back. Cold, clammy feelings may be mistaken for the flu. Other sensations may be felt in the spine or under the breast bone. Pain in the jaw, sweating, weakness and difficulty walking may be followed by collapse and loss of consciousness.
Lack of Awareness
A nursing study conducted in England interviewed 29 women who had heart attacks to determine how well symptoms were interpreted. The study concluded that women were more likely to ignore early warning signs such as fatigue, trouble sleeping, dizziness or nausea that occurred weeks or months before a heart attack. When acute symptoms such as chest, neck and jaw pain occurred, women delayed getting help longer than men. Many of the women interviewed in the study failed to recognize or act on their symptoms, seeking assistance only when others intervened. None of the subjects thought of themselves as being at risk, despite the fact that many had positive family histories.
Younger Women
Most available research regarding MI is from exclusive studies of men. According to cardiologist Sharonne Hayes of the Mayo Clinic, it wasn't long ago that doctors thought women were immune to heart attacks. Some preliminary findings of new investigations that include women have found they are more likely to have nausea and other gastric symptoms and pain in the back and shoulders than men. Haynes states that even tests for cardiovascular health need to be interpreted differently for men and women.
Haynes also pointed out that 80 percent of women under the age of 40 who have a heart attack are smokers. Younger women are more likely to have subtle signs and less likely to receive prompt treatment once they reach the emergency room because of the slow response of misinformed caregivers. Haynes' advice to women is to call 911 if a new symptom is experienced that lasts more than a few minutes, rather than risk waiting too long to get help. Chew an aspirin if possible, and do not try to drive to the hospital. Once there, insist on a prompt evaluation of cardiac health.
