My friend Michelle is a bad ass athlete. She is personal trainer and fitness instructor extraordinaire. Michelle is crazy fit, sports a six-pack and swims like a fish. She is also an accomplished triathlete. I was shocked to hear that this healthy 53-year-old woman had a heart attack. She was on a run and knew something wasn’t right. Her quick thinking might have saved her life.
A heart attack happens every 43 seconds.
Did you know that the signs for a heart attack can present differently between males and females?
If you show any of the following symptoms, call 911 and get to an emergency room right away. Do not drive yourself to the hospital if you believe you may be having a heart attack. Taking an ambulance gives you the best chance of survival.
Heart Attack Symptoms
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, neck, jaw, teeth, back or stomach
- Uncomfortable pressure in your chest. This may also present as a squeezing or feeling of fullness in the middle of your chest. This pain may be persistent or it may go away and come back.
- Cold sweats
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Coughing or wheezing
- Chest pain
- Feeling anxious
Usually heart attack symptoms occur above the waist and are caused by lack of blood flow.
The more symptoms you have, the more likely it is you’re experiencing a heart attack.
Heart attack symptoms vary greatly from person to person. The pain can be severe like in the movies where someone suddenly grasps their chest and falls to the floor. However, it can also be mistaken for common things like heart burn.
Heart Attacks in Women
Although men and women may both experience chest pressure, women can experience a heart attack without chest pressure or pain. If you’re a woman and you experience extreme fatigue, upper back pressure, fainting and pain/pressure in the lower chest, you may be heaving a heart attack.
Help Prevent Heart Attacks
To help prevent a heart attack, keep your blood pressure in check. The higher the pressure, the more stress is put on your heart. Reduce stress, exercise and eat a healthy balanced diet. Also limit alcohol use. It raises blood pressure and contributes to fat accumulation around the abdomen.
If you smoke, please quit now. We can help you when you’re ready to quit.
By simply being aware of heart attack symptoms, you may save your life or someone else’s. It’s also great to know CPR and how to use a defibrillator in case of emergency.
The friendly providers at In and Out Express Care are here when you need us. Stop in and let us help you feel better fast!
