Typical Heart Attack Symptoms Just as Common in Women

By April Clarkson, June 9th, 2013 | Health | 0 Comments

You may have heard that it is more difficult to diagnose heart attack in women because they have different symptoms than men. However, according to a study, women are just as likely as men to experience chest pain and other typical heart attack symptoms.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia School of Nursing asked 305 patients who were undergoing elective angioplasty what they felt while the angioplasty balloon was restricting blood supply to heart. Both women and men were equally likely to report chest discomfort or other typical heart attack symptoms. Of note, women were more likely to report non-chest pain, such as pain in the neck, jaw, and throat.

Other recent studies have also suggested that the perception that women have different heart attack symptoms than men is misguided. This study adds fuel to the fire and emphasizes the importance of public education initiatives aimed at making women more aware of their risk for heart attack and other cardiovascular disease complications.