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Cardiologist Reveals Atypical Heart Attack Signals in Women
8 Dec
Summary
- Women's smaller coronary vessels and diffuse plaque make disease harder to detect.
- Atypical symptoms like nausea and back pain are common in women.
- Subtle signs can be mistaken for stress or indigestion, delaying care.
Cardiologists highlight that heart attack symptoms in women can be far more subtle and harder to identify than in men. Dr. Sanjay Kumar explains that anatomical differences, including smaller coronary vessels and a more widespread plaque distribution, contribute to this challenge. These factors can make heart disease more difficult to detect and increase the likelihood of recurring issues.
Women are less prone to the classic chest pain often associated with heart attacks. Instead, they may experience a range of atypical symptoms. These can include nausea, unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and pain in the back or jaw. Such signs are often mistaken for common conditions like indigestion or stress, potentially delaying critical medical attention.
While these symptoms are not definitive proof of a heart attack, they warrant a strong suspicion of underlying heart disease. Dr. Kumar emphasizes that experiencing one or more of these atypical signs necessitates seeking medical evaluation. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital for managing heart conditions effectively and improving outcomes for women.
