Why are womens heart attack symptoms different from mens?
Pain, pressure, squeezing, discomfort — these are some of the sensations in the chest that can signal a heart attack in both men and women. Other symptoms are less obvious signals of a heart attack, and that’s where an important distinction shows up. Women experience symptoms such as nausea, fatigue or jaw pain more often than men do. According to Annabelle Volgman, MD, medical director of the Rush Heart Center for Women, that’s because women can have a different kind of coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attacks. “The blockages in women can be in the smaller blood vessels,” Volgman says. “The end result is the same — the heart doesn’t get enough blood. But it’s harder to diagnose.” This condition is known as endothelial dysfunction or microvascular disease, and even if it causes a heart attack, women may not realize their symptoms are serious. In fact, initial tests at an emergency department can miss it. “Women have real symptoms, but doctors may not recognize what’s ha
