Do women experience different symptoms than men as a heart attack is evolving?
Dr. McSweeney: Yes, some do. During the actual heart attack, shortness of breath is the number one symptom women mentioned. In addition, there is a generalized feeling of weakness, unusual fatigue, cold sweats, and complaints of being dizzy. Infoaging: Should all women associate these symptoms with a possible heart attack? Dr. McSweeney: No. I very much want to stress that these symptoms go hand in hand with risk factors for heart disease. If a woman has no risk factors for heart disease, it would be unusual that any of the above symptoms would be associated with an impending heart attack. Women at risk include the following: • Women whose immediate family members may have had heart disease early in life • Women who are postmenopausal • Women who smoke • Women who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol • Women who are overweight • Women who have diabetes • Women who do not exercise As you notice, women can do something about most of these risk factors. Infoaging: In your conversa
