Women and Heart Attacks

Although men and women can experience chest pressure that feels like an elephant sitting across the chest, women can experience a heart attack without chest pressure.  Rather women may experience shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, indigestion, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.  Even when the signs are subtle, the consequences can be deadly, especially if the victim doesn’t get help right away.

Even though heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, women often chalk up the symptoms to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging.  A "heart attack" (also known as a myocardial infarction or MI) occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens because the arteries that supply the heart with blood can slowly become thicker and harder from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances (plaque).
Many women think the signs of a heart attack are unmistakable — the image of the elephant standing on the chest comes to mind — but in fact they can be subtler and sometimes confusing.  Some women experiencing a heart attack describe upper back pressure that feels like squeezing or a rope being tied around them.  Dizziness, lightheadedness or actually fainting are other symptoms to look for. 

If you experience these symptoms call 911.  Emergency Medical Service crews can provide an early diagnosis, treatment and rapid access to appropriate hospital care.

Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue paramedics use the latest Denver Metro Paramedic Protocols to evaluate symptoms of heart attack and begin treatment in the field.