7 heart attack symptoms women shouldn't ignore

Studies show that most women can’t differentiate between a heart attack and indigestion.

Most women who are having a heart attack put off going to the emergency room because the symptoms are so vague. Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack and what steps to take, can mean the difference between life and death.

See heart attack warning signs below.

Tingling down one or both arms or legs:
While this often means you've got a pinched nerve or arthritis in your neck, it’s important to rule out heart problems first. See your doctor if you notice any tingling in your extremities.

Nausea/vomiting:
You could have more than just a bug if your upset stomach comes along with other heart-related symptoms, such as shortness of breath, a cold sweat or pain in your chest or back.

Shortness of breath/racing heart:
It can be really difficult to differentiate between a panic attack and a heart attack, since they share these symptoms. A few tells: Panic attacks can be triggered by a stressful event (though not always), and other signs can include trembling, intense terror and an overwhelming sense of doom. Panic attacks also typically come on suddenly and should pass within five minutes, while women's heart-attack symptoms tend to start slowly and linger. The only way to be sure about what's happening, however, is to get to the hospital.

Dizziness/light-headedness:
Feeling faint for no obvious reason (like doing a tough workout or being dehydrated) could mean that not enough blood is getting to the heart, especially if you're also suffering from shortness of breath and a cold sweat.

Jaw pain:
Your jaw could hurt if you're having a heart attack, because the nerves attached to it lie close to ones that come out of your heart. If the pain is constant, you probably have a dental problem, if it pops up intermittently and gets worse when you exert yourself, it's more likely to be heart-related.

Extreme fatigue:
If you're unable to walk a block comfortably or if you feel like you have to stop and rest while going about your daily activities, it could be a sign that blood is not getting to the heart fast enough.

Discomfort or burning in the chest or back:
Women often describe a heart attack as tightness, heaviness, pressure or a squeezing sensation. The pain doesn't have to be severe or sudden; it could come and go for weeks, so it's often mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. If it doesn't come on shortly after a meal, if you don't normally have indigestion or if you're also experiencing symptoms such as nausea, it needs to be checked promptly by a doctor.

How heart attacks happen:
They're most often triggered by a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque in our coronary arteries. When that plaque thickens and hardens, you develop atherosclerosis—a common heart disease that causes attacks.

Atherosclerosis can block blood flow, and therefore oxygen, to the heart muscle and lead to a heart attack. Other forms of heart disease include arrhythmia and congenital issues.

Besides age, other risk factors for heart disease are:

– Family history
– Diabetes mellitus
– High blood cholesterol
– High blood pressure
– Smoking
– Overweight
– High stress levels and having a sedentary lifestyle ( physical inactivity), although you can have heart attacks without being predisposed to them.

Less common causes include a blood clot and a blood-vessel tear in the heart (known as a spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a rare condition that is most prevalent in those age 30 to 50).

P.S: Do no not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider.

- Health.com

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