Heart attack symptoms in women, cause and treatment

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Representational Image
Representational Image

New Delhi : More than thousands of people, globally, die of heart attack, almost daily. Also known as cardiac arrest, the serious health problem takes place when blood flow to the heart suddenly blocks leading to the death of a segment of heart muscle. The blood circulation stops when an artery is blocked by a blood clot. In such situation, a person experiences chest pain and instability of the heart muscle tissue. Several studies concluded that man over 45 years and woman over 55 years are at high risk of heart attack.

Symptoms of heart attack in women 

The heart attack comes with clear symptoms which call for immediate medical attention. However, the heart attack symptoms in women may vary from that of men. Women don't always feel the same signs as men like feeling of tightness, pain and pressure in the chest of arms that may spread to the neck, jaw or back that lasts several minutes or resolves then returns. Heart attack in women may have loud or silent symptoms that may be missed out. 

The common heart attack symptoms in women are:

  • Chest pain or discomfort which may be like squezzing or fulness, pain anywhere, not just on the left side.
  • Pain in left arms which can be gradual or sudden, may be wax or wanr before becoming intense. 
  • Stomach pain is aslo a heart attack symptom in women. The kind of pain signals a heart attack with heartburn, flu or stomach ulcer. Also women may experience severe abdominal pressure just like an heavy object placed on the stomach.
  • Shortness of breath, nausea, or light headedness could also indicate the arrival of heart attack.
  • Heavy sweating, breaking out in nervous, feeling stressed without reason is also a sign of heart attack in women
  • Mild heart attack symptom in women includes fatigue, a feeling of extremely tired even if doing nothing.
  • Sleep disturbance, meaning, difficulty getting to sleep, unusual walking throughout the night and feeling tired despite getting enough sleep.
  • The risk of heart attack in women increases due to falling of estrogen level after menopause.

Cause of heart attack in women

Numerous problems can be the root cause of heart attack in women. Of the many reason, one process called  atherosclerosis, a condition that develops when plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries, is common. In case of blood clot formation in the arteries, a woman may suffer from heart attack of stroke. Besides, reasons for heart attack in women include:

  • Heart failure or congestive heart failure where heart continues to work but the pumping of blood stops
  • Arrhythmia or an abnormal rhythm of the heart where heart beat is too fast, too slow or irregular
  • Heart valve problems, a condition where heart does not open enough to allow proper blood flow.

Treatment of heart attack in women

Normally, common sets of treatment are used in to cure heart problems in men and women. The treatment may include medications, angioplasty and stenting, or coronary bypass surgery. Health care providers may conduct blood tests and heart health tests to prescribe medicines and medical procedures. Along with treatment, lifestyle changes can also help to recover from the life-threatening problem.

Following suggestions may help women with heart diseses, to lead a happy life:

  • Say no to smoking
  • Manage the stress
  • Maintain healthy weight
  • Take healthy diet 
  • Manage high blood pressure and cholesterol level
  • Control diabetes