Understand Pre-Heart Attack Risk Factors & Symptoms in Female

Heart attack is a common condition that can lead to death if right medical attention is not given within the right time. Heart attack is becoming very common in females. In approximately one crore deaths occurring in India due to health issues, 20.3% deaths are in males whereas 16.9% deaths are in females. With the incidence of heart attack in females increasing at such a rate it is important to further study this condition. Females can experience the symptoms of a heart attack differently than in males. In this article, let us discuss the common pre heart attack symptoms in females and the factors that make them more prone to heart attack.

What are the symptoms of a Pre-Heart Attack in females?

The symptoms of a pre-heart attack, mild and severe, are slightly different in males and females. Following are some of the common female heart attack symptoms.

1. Chest pain and discomfort. 

Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom in females as well as males. However, chest pain can be experienced differently in females. Females can experience chest pain anywhere in the chest, and not particularly on the left side. The chest pain gives a feeling of fullness or as if it is squeezing. 

• Pain in the other body parts

Apart from chest pain, pain in the other body parts like the back, arm, jaw, and neck is also a common minor heart attack symptom in females. The pain can either start and then spread gradually or occur suddenly. The pain can fluctuate in intensity before it becomes extremely intense. If you have any unexplained or atypical pain in your body then you must consult your cardiologist.

• Shortness of breath

A heart attack can also make it difficult for you to breathe. It may feel as if you have done a strenuous activity when you have actually not moved a bit. Lightheadedness or nausea are also a part of mini heart attack symptom in females. If you experience shortness of breath along with other symptoms, make sure to consult your cardiologist.

• Stomach pain

Stomach pain occurs as a symptom of heart attack as well a symptom of stomach ulcer, flu, or heartburn. You can mistake your stomach pain for something else when it actually indicates a heart attack. Females can also experience severe pressure on their abdominal area which can be an indication of heart attack as well.

• Fatigue

Heart attacks can make you feel extremely tired even if you have been resting and not doing anything. It makes simple daily work also a huge burden for you. Females also often feel tiredness and heaviness in their chest.

• Excess Sweating

It is common for the females to have cold sweats before a heart attack. These sweats are just like stress-related sweating instead of perspiration that occurs due to physical exercise or heat. If ever you sweat without any reason, make sure to take that seriously.

What are the Risk Factors that increase the risk of Heart Attack in Females?

Certain factors make females more predisposed to heart attack. Therefore, if you fall under the category of being at high risk of heart attack, you must follow preventive measures to avoid heart attack and also get regular monitoring of your heart health and other parameters tested. 

Following are the major factors that increase the risk of heart attack in females.

• Diabetes

Diabetes is a major risk factor that makes you prone to heart diseases. It is found to be a major contributor more commonly in females than in males. Since, diabetes makes you experience pain differently, therefore, the chances of a silent heart attack (asymptomatic heart attack) increases in diabetic females.

• Smoking

Smoking is a hazardous habit. It increased the risk manyfolds for most of the health conditions. Smoking has shown to increase the risk of heart attack more in females than males.

• Depression or emotional stress

A female heart is affected more by emotional stress and depression. Poor mental health can make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle which makes following the treatment of underlying health conditions also difficult.

• Menopause

The levels of estrogen decrease after menopause which again increases the risk of developing blockages in the smaller blood vessels, thus increasing the strain on the heart.

• Sedentary lifestyle

If you live a life that is devoid of any physical activity or exercise, it can again act as a major risk factor for heart attack.

• Family history

If heart diseases run in your family, that is, someone from your family had a heart attack or disease in past, it indicates that you can also be genetically prone to heart attacks..

• Pregnancy

Heart attack can also occur as a complication occurring during pregnancy. Occurence of diabetes and high blood pressure also increase the risk of congenital heart diseases for the baby.

• Inflammatory disease

Inflammatory conditions occurring in females like rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus can also increase your chances of getting a heart disease and heart attack.

Takeaway

Heart attack is a very commonly occurring condition these days not only in elderly but in the younger population as well, especially in females. Now that you know the symptoms of heart attack make sure that you consult your doctor immediately if you observe any of these symptoms in yourself or your close ones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does a woman feel before a heart attack?

A woman can feel severe pain or pressure in the chest, tiredness, stomach pain or pain in any other body part before a heart attack. The female may even sweat a lot before getting a heart attack.

2. What are the signs of heart problems in a woman?

The signs of heart problems in females include:

• Chest pain or heaviness in chest
• Pain in the stomach, neck, jaw, or hands
• Difficulty in breathing
• Nausea
• Fatigue 

3. How long can a woman have symptoms before a heart attack?

Generally heart attacks occur suddenly. But according to research, the symptoms of heart attack can occur for several weeks before a female actually gets a heart attack.