Heart attack is among the most common causes of death. Early intervention for a heart attack, which can affect people of all ages and genders, saves lives. Although it is thought that a heart attack develops suddenly, in some cases, a heart attack can give an early warning. It was learned that a very common ailment in daily life is an important symptom of a heart attack.
MOST WOMEN WHO HAVE CRISIS EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOM
Many women report experiencing other conditions such as anxiety, heartburn, or a ‘funny turn’ before they have a heart attack. One study found that about 40 percent of women experienced indigestion before they had a heart attack. The long duration of this symptom, which is usually experienced after meals and can be easily ignored, can warn about risky situations.
IT HAPPENED BEFORE THE HEART CHALLENGE
Research published in the journal Circulation discovered that indigestion is a common occurrence in women in the month before a cardiac event. About 39 percent of the cohort reported indigestion prior to their heart attack. However, indigestion was not common during heart attacks.
INSUFFICIENT RESEARCH CAN CAUSE WRONG DIAGNOSIS
The aim of the study was to accurately describe women’s coronary heart disease symptoms to provide a complete picture of the warning signs. “The current definition of ‘typical’ cardiac symptoms is primarily based on the experience of white, middle-aged men,” the researchers wrote. Experts said this “contributes to misunderstandings between clinicians and ordinary individuals, leading to misdiagnoses and causing women to delay seeking treatment.”
SYMPTOMS TO BE CONSIDERED
The researchers noted that previous studies have found that between 85 and 90 percent of women describe several different symptoms in the period leading up to a heart attack.
The five most common symptoms that women reported experiencing one month prior to the event were:
- unusual tiredness (71 percent)
- Sleep disturbance (48 percent)
- Shortness of breath (42 percent)
- Indigestion (39 percent)
- Anxiety (36 percent)
During a heart attack, women reported:
- Shortness of breath (58 percent)
- Weakness (55 percent)
- unusual tiredness (43 percent)
- Cold sweat (39 percent)
- Dizziness (39 percent)