What's the difference between heart attack symptoms in men and women?

Women's heart attack symptoms are different and subtler than in men; she may have chest pain, but shortness of breath, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, back pain and nausea are also common. Watch cardiologist Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, explain these symptoms.

Transcript

00:00

It's very important that, as a woman, if you can't do the things that you usually do in your life,

00:06

go see your doctor. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:19

When a woman is having a heart attack, she may have chest pain, but she also may have more subtle symptoms, shortness of breath,

00:29

fatigue, flu-like symptoms, back pain, jaw pain, nausea. But when a woman is experiencing issues with her heart,

00:38

she might have symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, or even feeling unwell,

00:46

just like having the flu. It's very important that, as a woman, if you can't do the things that you usually do in your life,

00:55

go see your doctor because any change in your ability to exercise or to just be and live your life,

01:02

it might actually be your heart. When we think of heart attacks in men, it's really that Hollywood heart attack of a man clutching his chest, having chest pain and pressure.

01:13

That's a very classic heart attack in men. In women, it might be more subtle than that. [AUDIO LOGO]