When you think of a heart attack, what comes to mind? A sudden, crushing pain in the chest, maybe a dramatic collapse like you’ve seen in the movies? While this image might be true for some, the reality for women can be startlingly different—and far more subtle. Heart attacks in women often don’t come with the same glaring warnings, making them easy to miss until it’s too late.
This lack of awareness can lead to delayed treatment, increasing the risk of severe complications or even death. At Dr. Kartik Bhosale Cardiology Clinic, led by the Best Cardiologist in Pune, we emphasize the importance of understanding these differences to ensure timely and effective care. This blog will explore the unique symptoms and risk factors associated with cardiac arrest in women and provide insights into prevention and treatment.
Heart Attacks in Women:
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, happens when a blood clot, generally, blocks blood flow to a portion of the heart muscle. This obstruction causes the heart muscle to become damaged or die because it inhibits oxygen-rich blood from getting to that area of the heart.
Unique Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Women:
Like in men, the most common indicator of a heart attack in women is pressure, pain, or discomfort in the chest that either stays constant or fluctuates. However, chest discomfort is not always the most noticeable or even the most severe symptom, particularly in women.
Compared to men, women are more likely to develop heart attack symptoms that are unrelated to chest pain, such as
- Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or upper belly (abdomen) discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in one or both arms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Unusual fatigue
- Heartburn (indigestion)
These subtle symptoms in women are often less noticeable than the typical crushing chest pain, partly due to blockages in smaller heart vessels, known as small vessel or coronary microvascular disease. Women also tend to experience symptoms more often during rest or sleep, with emotional stress being a common trigger. As a result, heart attacks in women are often underdiagnosed, especially since they may occur without significant artery blockages.
Risk Factors Specific to Women:
Both men and women are at risk for coronary artery disease due to a number of conventional factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, and excessive cholesterol. However, there’s a chance that other factors contribute more to the development of heart disease in women.
Heart disease risk factors for women include:
- Diabetes: Compared to males with diabetes, women with diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease. In addition, women with diabetes are more likely to experience a silent heart attack, or one without any outward signs.
- Depression and emotional stress: Women’s hearts are more sensitive to these conditions than men’s. Sustaining a healthy lifestyle and adhering to prescribed treatment plans for various medical issues may become challenging when dealing with depression.
- Smoking: Compared to men, women who smoke have a higher chance of developing heart disease.
- Inactivity: One of the main risk factors for heart disease is not exercising.
- Menopause: Following menopause, low estrogen levels raise the chance of disease development in smaller blood vessels.
- Complications of pregnancy: A mother’s long-term risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes is increased if she has diabetes or high blood pressure throughout her pregnancy. Women are also more susceptible to heart disease as a result of these problems.
- Early heart disease in the family: This seems to be a higher risk factor for women than for males.
- Inflammatory diseases: Both men and women are more susceptible to heart disease if they have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or other inflammatory illnesses.
When to See a Doctor?
If you have symptoms of a heart attack or think you’re having one, call for emergency medical help immediately. Seeking help from a Heart Specialist in Pune or a Heart Doctor in Pune promptly can make a significant difference.
Prevention and Early Detection:
At Dr. Kartik Bhosale Cardiology Clinic, the Best Cardiologist in Pune believes that prevention and early detection are key to reducing the risk of heart attacks in women. Here are some steps women can take to protect their heart health:
- Regular Check-ups: Regular medical check-ups with a trusted Cardiologist in Pune can help detect early signs of heart disease. It’s essential to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar regularly, especially for women with risk factors.
- Healthy Diet: A heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help prevent heart disease. Limiting salt, sugar, and saturated fats is also crucial.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity strengthens the heart and improves circulation. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
- Stress Management: Managing stress through relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing, can reduce the risk of heart disease. Mental health care is just as important as physical health in preventing cardiac arrest.
- Quit Smoking: If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your heart. Seek help from healthcare providers if needed, as quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Know Your Family History: A family history of heart disease increases your risk. Share this information with your healthcare provider to tailor your prevention plan accordingly.
What to Do if You or Someone You Know is Experiencing a Heart Attack:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a heart attack, it is important to call 918420070081 immediately. Do not wait for the symptoms to go away. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, you can help the person by:
- Calling 918420070081
- Giving the person aspirin (if prescribed by a doctor)
- Helping the person to lie down and rest
Heart Disease Treatment in Women:
In general, cardiac treatment in women and men is similar. It can include medications, angioplasty and stenting, or coronary bypass surgery. Some noted differences in cardiac treatment among men and women are:
- Women are less likely to be treated with aspirin and statins to prevent future heart attacks than men. However, studies show the benefits are similar in both groups.
- Women are less likely than men to have coronary bypass surgery, perhaps because women have less obstructive disease or smaller arteries with more small vessel disease.
- Cardiac rehabilitation can improve health and aid recovery from heart disease. However, women are less likely to be referred for cardiac rehabilitation than men are.
Conclusion:
Heart attack in ladies are frequently underrecognized because of the abnormal side effects they might insight. By understanding these interesting side effects and the particular gamble factors ladies face, we can find proactive ways to prevent heart disease and further develop results for ladies. At Dr. Kartik Bhosale Cardiology Clinic, we are devoted to providing customized care and training to assist ladies with protecting their hearts and carry on with better lives. Keep in mind, early identification and avoidance are the best guards against coronary illness. Assuming that you experience any uncommon side effects or have risk factors for coronary illness, make it a point to clinical consideration from the Best Cardiologist in Pune. Your heart wellbeing matters!