Women and Heart Attack Symptoms

Dr. Rupa Puttappa, a cardiology specialist at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, says that reducing the risk of heart disease in women begins with understanding the factors that can lead to a heart attack. These include age, heredity, history of a previous heart attack, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, stress, high triglyceride levels, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Many women don’t recognize these warning signs of heart attack:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Unusual fatigue
• Cold sweats
• Dizziness
• Pain or pressure in the back, high chest, or one or both arms
• Discomfort in the chest that may be described as pressure, aching, or tightness and may come and go
• A burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen
• Irregular heartbeat
• Nausea

Dr. Puttappa says there are several lifestyle changes women can make to reduce their risk of heart disease.

“Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, maintain a healthy weight, quit or don’t start smoking, and eat a diet that’s low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt,” she suggests. “Also, be sure you take prescribed medications, such as cholesterol-lowering medication, appropriately.”