Do You Recognize The Signs of a Heart Attack?

women heart attack symptoms

Once you know the signs of a heart attack, you may be able to save a life because of your quick recognition and resulting action in the emergency.  The signs of a heart attack may be different for men and women although the types of heart attacks for both genders are the same.

Heart Attack Symptoms That Are Typical

You may feel a squeezing or gripping pain in your chest or you could feel a pressure or sense of fullness in your chest that is extremely uncomfortable or painful for you.A pain or discomfort may return after it has stopped for a while.

Shortness of breath may occur before a heart attack or it can happen during the heart attack.  Nausea, sweating, dizziness and vomiting are symptoms that are suffered during a heart attack event that are considered atypical symptoms. 

Heart Attack Symptoms That Are Atypical

Many times, female heart attack symptoms do not feel the pain that men typically suffer during a heart attack.  Women will experience the atypical symptoms of a heart attack that are subtler and may not be recognized as heart attack symptoms. 

Atypical symptoms include weakness, nausea, feeling tired, and faint.  Other symptoms that women may experience include in their back, jaw or neck and light-headedness.

A heart attack should be treated in the first hour after the attack has occurred because this can reduce further damage to the heart.  The faster the time in which a person can receive medical help, the higher their chances will be of surviving the heart attack and preventing further damage to their heart.The first hour is critical when noticing a heart attack as it can kill a person within that same hour if medical help is not sought. 

Dial 911 or emergency at the very first signs of a possible heart attack.  Do not wait longer than five minutes before making the emergency call for help.  If you go in your own car, you may not be seen right away so use an emergency vehicle for your arrival at the hospital although it may not always be possible to receive a ride in an ambulance to the hospital. 

Even if the symptoms have stopped after a few minutes, you must notify your doctor.  Take whatever type of medication that your doctor has prescribed for you in the case of a heart attack.In the event of a blood clot, you can insert an aspirin underneath your tongue as a recourse for thinning your blood. 

Time is valuable and it should not be wasted after the signs of a heart attack are recognized.  Seeking medical help quickly and arriving at the hospital through the services of an ambulance will be your best bet at receiving medical attention in a timely way.