Your Heart: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Heart Attacks

Your Heart: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Heart Attacks

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women and that 8 out of 10 heart attacks are preventable? That's not a statistic to fear. It's a reason to get informed.

Heart attacks in women often look nothing like what we see in movies, and that's exactly why awareness matters. The warning signs can look quite different in women compared to men, and knowing your signs could save your life, or the life of someone you love. The key is understanding your personal risk factors, maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, and recognizing those warning signs early. When you combine that knowledge with proactive health management, you're not just informed; you're empowered to protect yourself and the people who matter most to you.

👉 Ready to take action? Log into the OM app, choose a remote or in-office visit, and search "Heart Health Assessment" to get your personalized plan.

The Classic Signs Everyone Should Know

If your body is sending you a signal, don't ignore it. Call 911 immediately if you notice:

• Chest discomfort is the most common warning sign for both sexes. This might feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest. This discomfort can last several minutes, or it may come and go
• Pain spreading to your arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Sudden shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort, even at rest
• Other warning signs: Cold sweats, nausea, dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, or irregular or racing heartbeat

The Critical Difference: Women's Unique Symptoms

You've been exhausted for days. You feel a little nauseous, maybe some back pain. You think: "I'm just stressed" or "It's probably nothing." But what if it's not? Women are more likely than men to experience other symptoms that might not seem related to the heart at all.

Women are more likely to experience:

• Anxiety or a sense of impending doom
• Shortness of breath (even without chest pain)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Upset stomach or indigestion-like feelings
• Pain in the shoulder, back, or arm
• Unusual tiredness and weakness that may last for days

These symptoms can be subtle and easy to dismiss; in fact, many women describe feeling extremely tired for no apparent reason days before a heart attack, only to mistake it for the flu, stress, or indigestion. That delay in recognizing what's really happening can be life-threatening.

Why Women Wait — And Why You Shouldn't

Women are natural caregivers; we push through discomfort, tell ourselves we're fine, and put everyone else first. But when it comes to your heart, waiting is dangerous. Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Awareness of these unique heart attack symptoms in women isn't just knowledge; it can be lifesaving.

The good news is that most heart attacks are preventable.

Understanding your personal risk factors is essential. Women face unique cardiovascular risks throughout their lives such as:

• Pregnancy complications (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes) which can signal increased risk for heart disease later
• Menopause (changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood vessels)
• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

Risks that affect everyone:

• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Smoking
• Family history
• Physical inactivity
• Anxiety, depression, or chronic stress

Tests and Screenings to Consider:

Work with your healthcare provider to establish a regular screening schedule that includes:

• Blood pressure monitoring – Track changes over time, especially during midlife transitions
• Cholesterol screening – Check LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels regularly
• Blood sugar testing – Screen for diabetes and prediabetes
• Body composition assessment – Monitor waist circumference and weight distribution
• Cardiovascular risk assessment – Discuss your complete health history, including pregnancy and other female health conditions like PCOS and menopause symptoms

Early identification and management of risk factors can make the difference between developing heart disease and maintaining a healthy heart for life. Schedule a heart health visit with your provider to understand your personal risk factors and create a prevention plan tailored to your needs.

Your Heart Is Worth It — Don't Wait

You don't have to wait for a dramatic moment to take your heart health seriously. Women especially need to trust their instincts when something feels seriously wrong, even if the symptoms seem vague. Men should not ignore classic symptoms either. Start today. Know the signs. Schedule your screening. And remember — calling 911 is never overreacting.

Book your Heart Health Assessment today and get a plan that's built just for you.