Heart Attack Symptoms Differ in Men and Women: Who Is at Greater Risk?
Cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, are responsible for over 17 million deaths annually.
Although heart attack symptoms in men and women often overlap, there are subtle yet important differences that can affect early recognition and treatment, emphasizes Prof. Dr. Arsen Ristić, cardiologist.
"In most patients, there are no major differences in symptoms, especially in mass diseases. However, there are specific characteristics related to women, particularly during the reproductive period. During this time, women are less prone to myocardial infarction because hormones slow down the process of atherosclerosis," explains Prof. Dr. Arsen Ristić, Vice Dean at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade - reports B92.
Myocardial infarction, known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually due to obstruction in one or more coronary arteries. Without oxygen and nutrients, part of the heart begins to die, and the longer the blood flow is cut off, the greater the damage.
Everything Changes After Menopause
After menopause, the risk of cardiovascular diseases in women increases significantly – so much that they often reach or exceed the risk level of men.
"There was a case of a 37-year-old woman who suffered a severe heart attack. Her symptoms were unusual – she felt chest pain which she interpreted as a shoulder sprain due to physical exertion. As a result, she ignored the symptoms for hours. Only 12 hours after the first symptoms appeared, the correct diagnosis – a heart attack – was made."
According to the source for Kurir, 50% of her heart muscle’s circulation was lost due to delayed reaction.
"The patient had several serious risk factors: elevated blood fats, obesity, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, and she was a smoker. When these factors appear together, the risk of heart attack is not just cumulative – it multiplies," added Prof. Dr. Ristić.
Most Common Heart Attack Symptoms:
- Chest pain – Intense pressure, tightness, or burning in the center of the chest, lasting more than a few minutes or recurring
- Pain radiating to the left arm, shoulders, jaw, neck, or back
- Shortness of breath – Trouble breathing, even at rest
- Cold sweat – Sudden and profuse sweating for no obvious reason
- Nausea or vomiting – More common in women
- Dizziness or fainting – Possible loss of consciousness
- Sudden weakness and fatigue – Feeling exhausted without effort
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
In women, heart attack symptoms are often atypical. Instead of the classic chest pain radiating to the arm or jaw, more often they experience
- shortness of breath
- increased sweating, or
- nonspecific pains that many mistakenly interpret as rheumatic issues or fatigue.
Diagnosis Strategy Is the Same, but Women Seek Help Later
"There is no difference in diagnostic approach. The problem is that women, especially younger ones, are less likely to attend routine checkups and often underestimate the risk of heart disease. They usually visit a doctor when the condition has already progressed."
Preventive Measures – The Key to Reducing Risk
Prevention is most important, according to Prof. Ristić.
LDL cholesterol is known as the “bad” cholesterol because it can accumulate in blood vessels and form plaques that narrow the arteries. High LDL levels increase the risk of heart disease and heart attacks. That’s why it's important to regularly check and maintain low LDL levels.
"You should monitor your blood fats, blood pressure, family history, smoking habits, and diabetes. There are online calculators available that anyone can use to calculate their cardiovascular risk. Based on that risk, target LDL levels are determined."
He emphasizes that there are no universal reference values for cholesterol, but individual target values:
- For healthy individuals: LDL & 2.6 mmol/L
- For moderate risk: LDL & 1.8 mmol/L
- After a heart attack: LDL & 1.4 mmol/L
"The lower the LDL cholesterol, the better. There is no dangerously low level of LDL. People often stop taking medication out of fear unnecessarily. On the other hand, good cholesterol can only be improved through physical activity, not with medications," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Ristić.
"Today we have medications administered only twice a year that reliably regulate cholesterol levels. Prevention and risk awareness are key to a healthy heart, regardless of gender," concludes Dr. Ristić.
