In the UK, around 100,000 hospital admissions each year are due to heart attacks according to the British Heart Foundation. That works out to a shocking 290 admissions each day or one every five minutes. One thing that can help lower this figure is raising awareness on heart attacks, namely the symptoms of the medical emergency.

However, it’s important to note that the major symptoms of a heart attack are surprisingly different for people who are biologically female compared to those who are biologically male.

Chest pain or discomfort

While chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, it’s important to note that some women may experience it differently than men. It may feel like a squeezing or fullness, and the pain can be anywhere in the chest, not just on the left side. Dr. Rita Redberg, director of Women’s Cardiovascular Services at the University of California, describes the pain as ‘truly uncomfortable,’ likening it to a ‘vise being tightened.’

Pain in your arm(s), back, neck, or jaw

Dr. Redberg mentions that such pain is more common in women than in men. This type of pain might confuse women who expect their pain to be focused on their chest and left arm. This pain can be gradual or sudden and may wax and wane before becoming intense. If you’re sleeping, the pain may wake you up. Cardiologist C. Noel Bairey Merz from the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center suggests reporting any ‘not typical or unexplained’ symptoms in any part of your body above your waist to a doctor.

Stomach pain

Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health at NYU Langone Medical Center, points out that women may experience severe abdominal pressure during a heart attack that ‘feels like an elephant sitting on your stomach.’ It’s important to acknowledge these symptoms as they might be mistaken for less serious conditions like heartburn, the flu, or a stomach ulcer.

Sweating

Sweating is another symptom to be mindful of. Breaking out in a nervous, cold sweat is common among women who are having a heart attack. This will feel more like ‘stress-related sweating’ than perspiration from exercise or heat. Dr. Merz advises that you should get it checked out if this is uncommon for you and there’s no other cause, like hot flashes from menopause.

Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness

If you find yourself having immense difficulty breathing for seemingly no apparent reason, along with one or more of the other symptoms, you could be having a heart attack. Dr. Goldberg notes that it can feel like you have run a marathon, even if you didn’t make a move.

Fatigue

Lastly, fatigue is a symptom that should not be ignored. Some women who have heart attacks feel extremely tired, even if they’ve been sitting still for a while or haven’t moved much. Dr. Goldberg adds that patients often complain of a tiredness in the chest and say that they can’t do simple activities like walking to the bathroom.

Being aware of these unique symptoms can save lives. If you notice any of these warning signs, please seek medical attention immediately.