8 heart attack symptoms women often miss

Women often miss subtle heart attack warning signs. Learn to recognize them and protect your heart.(Image: Canva)

Many women mistake heart attack symptoms for minor issues, but ignoring the signs can be life-threatening. Recognising what’s normal for your body and knowing when to act could save your life.

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for women, yet many women fail to realise that they are at risk. It is often because the symptoms in women may be vague, easy to overlook or brush off as stress, fatigue or even indigestion. This may cause a delay in treatment and can have serious consequences.

Women’s heart attack symptoms may not always follow the classic pattern. There may be chest pain, but more often, the signs are felt in other ways or in other parts of the body. It’s easy to mistake them for something less serious. It has been found that many women may make delays when trying to seek help.

Also read: World Heart Day 2025: Why women do not pay attention to their heart attacks?

Heart attack symptoms in women that should not be ignored: 

• Chest discomfort: You might feel pressure, tightness, squeezing, or pain in the centre of your chest. It might be intermittent or last for several minutes.

• Pain elsewhere: Pain isn’t always in the chest. It can travel to one or both arms, the neck, jaw, back or even stomach.

• Shortness of breath: This might come with or without chest pain, and can happen when resting or moving.

• Cold, damp sweat: Suddenly breaking into a cold sweat, and excessive diaphoresis, without any obvious reason, could be your body warning you.

• Feeling faint or dizzy: Light-headedness or sudden unsteadiness, syncope-like features, are warning signs, especially if they are new or unexplained.

• Nausea or stomach upset: What feels like indigestion or the flu might actually be related to an underlying heart condition, and must not be ignored.

• Unusual tiredness: Sudden or extreme fatigue — even if you haven’t done much — is a red flag that should be evaluated.

• Anxiety or dread: Some women describe a wave of panic, anxiety or a feeling that something is “just not right” just before a heart attack.

• Book regular health checks and consult your doctor about your heart health.

• It is crucial to quit smoking, and cut back on alcohol.

• Pay importance to physical movements, aim for 150 minutes of activity a week.

• Try to include colourful fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins in your diet.

Q: What are the most common heart attack symptoms in women?

A: Women commonly experience chest discomfort, pain in areas other than the chest, shortness of breath, cold sweat, fainting or dizziness, nausea or stomach upset, unusual tiredness, and anxiety or dread before a heart attack.

Q: How can women prevent heart disease?

A: Women can prevent heart disease by making small lifestyle changes such as regular health checks, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, maintaining physical activity, and eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Q: Why do women often mistake heart attack symptoms?

A: Women often mistake heart attack symptoms because they can be vague and easily overlooked as stress, fatigue, or indigestion. This can lead to delays in seeking treatment, which can have serious consequences.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.