Am I having a heart attack? A local woman’s first hand account

Understanding the signs of a heart attack can be the difference between life and death. Recognizing these symptoms promptly enables individuals to seek immediate medical help, which is crucial for preventing severe consequences. We have all seen information clips and ads featuring a man clutching his chest and a discussion of some kind about heart attacks.

Sharing information about potentially life-changing or life-ending events can help save someone’s life, but are they sending the right message? Many people believe that a heart attack only manifests as a crushing pain in the chest, leading to a one-dimensional understanding of this critical condition. This misconception overlooks the diverse symptoms heart attacks can present, particularly in women. This gap in public knowledge needs to be addressed to ensure that everyone recognizes the varied signs of a heart attack.

A significant aspect of understanding heart attacks is recognizing that chest pain is not the only symptom. Many people are unaware that heart attacks can present themselves without the classic crushing chest pain. Understanding this can lead to quicker and potentially life-saving responses.

One of our readers (we will call her Sheena) reached out, sharing she had recently been diagnosed with a heart attack, and after extensive testing, was told she had already had a heart attack previously to the current one.

“This experience has made me realize we have to learn to listen to our bodies when they talk to us. We can’t brush signs and signals aside under the assumption that they mean nothing.”

Sheena took us through her day before she was taken to the emergency department.

“It was a day just like any other day. I didn’t eat breakfast and had a few cups of coffee. I went out for a walk and felt fine, no different than I had any other day. Then everything started falling apart. I was within about 50 feet of my home when something triggered what they call incontinent diarrhea. Never in my entire life had I ever experienced anything like that before! After getting in the house, I proceeded to get myself cleaned up, completely oblivious to this being an undeniable symptom of a heart attack. I always thought a heart attack was signalled by a crushing pain in the chest. I was getting ready to get out of the shower, and I was hit with a wave of severe nausea and immediately thought I just needed to lie on the couch for 10 minutes and I would feel better. The nausea was relentless, but I hadn’t had anything to eat. Then I started feeling hot and clammy, had shortness of breath, and my chest felt tight, like my bra was too small, but there was no pain in my chest. These strange occurrences had to be a symptom of something, so I did what anyone would and went online to check my symptoms, expecting something that wasn’t a heart attack. To my shock, each and every symptom matched heart attack symptoms for women! The next stop was the local emergency department, and after several tests to confirm what was happening, I was transferred to St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. After a brief stay, medications and follow-up appointments scheduled, and I was sent home. If you experience any similar signs, don’t wait for it to pass; seek emergency help immediately. Recognizing these symptoms and acting promptly can save lives.

“I am active, I eat relatively well, and I was unaware of any previous symptoms. To hear I had already had a heart attack was even more shocking to me.

“My symptoms could be different from the woman down the road, but according to everything I have been told, women have very different symptoms from men, so don’t think that just because you are not feeling a crushing pain in your chest, you are fine.”

According to WebMD; “Women often experience different, more subtle heart attack symptoms than men, such as unusual fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, and pain in the jaw, neck, or back, rather than crushing chest pain. Women are also more likely to ignore these signs or wait longer to seek medical help. Immediate treatment (calling 911) is critical, as heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.”

Key Symptoms in Women

Unusual Fatigue: Extreme, unexplained tiredness, or feeling “too tired” to do simple activities.

Pain in Upper Body: Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders, or upper back.

Back/Chest Pressure: A feeling of intense, squeezing pain, or pressure in the chest or upper back.

Shortness of Breath: Breathing difficulties, often with or without chest discomfort.

Nausea/Vomiting/Indigestion: Feeling sick to the stomach, or experiencing what feels like severe heartburn.

Cold Sweats: Breaking out in a nervous, cold sweat unrelated to heat or exertion.

Why Symptoms Differ

Women often experience heart attacks that may not fit the classic “Hollywood” heart attack scenario (clutching the chest). They are more likely to have blockages in smaller arteries, not just the main arteries, a condition often called MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries).

Sheena went on to say, “Don’t presume you are just under the weather; listen and pay attention to what your body is telling you.”
Remember, if we don’t take care of ourselves, who will? Take a moment today to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of a heart attack, and share this life-saving information with your loved ones. By spreading awareness, you could make a difference in somebody’s life.