Heart attack symptoms in women are often not obvious, increasing the risk of delay in diagnosis and treatment.

According to experts, unusual and unexplained fatigue can be an important early sign of heart problems, sometimes weeks before a heart attack.

According to research, the diagnosis of heart disease in women is often delayed even though it is one of the leading causes of death. Heart attack symptoms in women can be different from men and these symptoms are often linked to depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders, aging or changes in hormones.

Possible early symptoms of a heart attack in women include shortness of breath, chest tightness or discomfort, pain in the jaw, neck, shoulder, back or arm, dizziness, cold sweats, nausea or indigestion, and sleep disturbances.

According to experts, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of physical activity, family history, obesity and unbalanced diet can increase the risk of heart attack.

A woman should seek immediate medical attention if she suddenly complains of chest pain, severe and unusual fatigue, difficulty breathing, or pain radiating to the jaw, arm, neck, or back, and these symptoms persist for more than a few minutes.

A balanced and heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, abstinence from smoking, control of blood pressure and cholesterol, proper treatment of diabetes, adequate sleep, reduction of depression and regular medical check-ups are essential to reduce the risk of heart attack.

Medical experts have a message for women not to ignore unexplained or unusual fatigue, especially if it is accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest discomfort.

What to do immediately in an emergency?

If symptoms such as chest tightness or pain, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, dizziness or sudden pain in the jaw, arm, neck, back or shoulder appear, call your local emergency medical number immediately.

Don’t wait for symptoms to pass and call for help, don’t try to drive yourself to the hospital, it’s safer to get medical attention by ambulance because medical staff can provide immediate help if things get worse on the way.

If a heart attack is suspected, don’t delay an emergency call by taking aspirin yourself.

If the patient becomes unconscious and is not breathing normally, seek emergency help immediately.

Note: This article is published for the information of readers, follow your physician’s advice on health related matters.