Did you know? Your gender could determine what warning signs you experience before or during a heart attack.

When a heart attack strikes, you have limited time to begin treatment before the effectiveness begins to plummet. Would you be able to spot the right warning signs of a heart attack as soon as they appear? Although there are always exceptions, men and women tend to experience different symptoms. Learn which signs you're more likely to see and be prepared to act on them.

Male Heart Attack Symptoms
Men tend to experience the more obvious signs of a heart attack, such as pains or discomfort in the chest or the upper left arm. Men will often describe a sensation of a crushing weight on their chest, or feeling as if a strong rubber band is squeezing tightly around their heart.

Female Heart Attack Symptoms
Women, on the other hand, may experience no symptoms near their chest at all. Many female heart attack patients will report a feeling of indigestion in their stomachs. They may vomit or suffer dizzy spells. Instead of a pain in the chest, women might feel discomfort in their shoulders, neck, or jaw. Many women recall an unexplainable feeling of dread. They may notice no physical symptoms, but they know something is wrong.

What if you're not sure that it's a warning sign?
Unfortunately, many women are unaware that heart attacks can occur without obvious symptoms. Some of these women do not discover they've suffered a heart attack until weeks or months after the event. Don't ignore warning signs just because they aren't what you expect. Pay attention to your intuition and don't be afraid to seek medical attention when you think it's necessary.

Educate yourself about heart attacks this February, during American Heart Month. Our cardiac and vascular website is a great place to start your research on heart health. If you have further questions, call our free Consult-a-Nurse® service at (305) 285-2929.

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