Heart Attack Symptoms in Women Over 50

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when the blood flow that supplies oxygen to the heart muscle is substantially diminished or entirely cut off. Heart attack symptoms in women over 50 seldom resemble the rapid, dramatic incidents shown in movies. The symptoms may be moderate or severe. They may start slowly. They might quit and then return.

Unique Heart Attack Symptoms in Women 

Chest pain or discomfort has long been recognized as one of the most prevalent early-warning heart attack symptoms in women over 50. However, some recent studies have revealed that women are more likely to have additional symptoms of a heart attack such as:

• Discomfort in the middle or upper back, neck, or jaw.
• Shortness of breath. 
• Nausea or vomiting. 
• Indigestion. 
• Lack of appetite. 
• Weakness or weariness. 
• Coughing. 
• Dizziness.
• Palpitations.

These symptoms may be nonspecific but are more obvious than chest discomfort.

Women are more likely than males to have symptoms when resting or sleeping. Emotional stress might also create heart attack symptoms.

Women are more likely than males to have a heart attack in the absence of a major arterial blockage. When this occurs, it is known as nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

Furthermore, women are more likely to have blockages in both their major arteries and the smaller ones that carry blood to the heart. A blockage in the smaller arteries is known as small vessel heart disease or coronary microvascular disease.

Risk Factors for Women Over 50 

Men and women respond differently to risk variables such as age, lifestyle behaviors, and other health issues. Women may get heart attacks later in life than males.

Factors that increase the risk of having heart attack in women are: 

• Smoking.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• High blood sugar.
• Obesity.
• Stress. 

Women are more likely than males to get heart attacks that are not caused by coronary artery disease. This may make it more difficult for medical professionals to identify heart attacks in women.

Heart attack and pregnancy

Heart attacks are uncommon among pregnant women, although they can occur during and shortly after birth.

Normal physiological changes during pregnancy might increase your chance of having a heart attack. Your age, lifestyle, and other health concerns, such as bleeding disorders, obesity, preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), and diabetes, can all increase your risk.

If you currently have coronary artery disease, pregnancy might increase your chance of having a heart attack. Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of heart attack during pregnancy. 

Read Also: Can High Blood Pressure Cause Heart Attack?

Steps to Take During a Heart Attack

As soon you notice any heart attack symptoms in women over 50, take these steps:

Seek professional help

• Call the local emergency number. 
• Never ignore the signs of a heart attack. 
• If an ambulance or emergency vehicle cannot reach you, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. 
• Drive yourself only if you have no other choice.

Take aspirin

• Aspirin helps to avoid blood clots. 
• Taking aspirin during a heart attack may help to limit cardiac damage. 
• Do not use aspirin unless directed by a healthcare professional. 

Take nitroglycerin

• If you believe you are experiencing a heart attack and have a prescription for this medication, take it as recommended while you wait for emergency medical attention.

Reference

• Charatan, F. (2003). Women with heart attacks have characteristic symptoms, says new study. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 327(7424), 1128.
• Heart Attack – Heart Attacks in Women | NHLBI, NIH. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov website.
• Heart Attack Symptoms in Women. (2015, May 29). Retrieved from National Institutes of Health (NIH) website. 
• Heart Attack Symptoms in Women — Are they Different? (2015, September 30). Retrieved from National Institutes of Health (NIH) website.
• Heart Disease in Women. (n.d.). Retrieved from medlineplus.gov website.