I am hoping women who have experienced a heart attack, will be happy / comfortable to share what were their symptoms leading up to their heart attack? NHS website and some other sites explain women can have different symptoms to men and that they can be felt over period of weeks rather than a sudden event. I full imagine this will vary between women.
It will be helpful to me (and maybe others) to have this knowledge partly to be aware but also perhaps not worry about every little niggle.
I look up my symptoms and I can relate but maybe they just are not symptoms of impending heart attack. They may be symptoms of my own CAD and I think may help knowing with anxiety about having a heart attack.
Had fairly bad day yesterday - raised blood pressure (some high and very per nhs chart), ongoing chest pain and pressure and periodic sharp headaches and generally feeling of uneasy (rather than anxious) and tired. Sleepless nights don’t help. I am on heart meds.
So may help me rationalise what experiencing rather than keep scaring myself.
Thanks
33 Replies
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Hello
I had three heart attacks and everyone was different so I am not sure if as we say one size fits all
I did suffer with high blood pressure but was on medication quite a few years for that
They also say women have a hormone which I cannot remember now which one it is that helps protect us from heart attacks till we start to lose it when going through the change and that is the stage I was at when I had my first heart attack which was I had been getting out of breath a while they put that down to Asthma but I think deep down I knew more was going of as heart issues run in my family even though more on the male side but I bent down lost my breath stood up was like someone had smashed a brick in my face and then that little crushing sensation in the middle of my chest followed by both arms aching all the way down
The second one was just indigestion with a little pricking sensation which I thought I had better get checked having had one heart attack and it was another but I have to say had I not already had one heart attack that sensation I would never have gone and had it checked out
The third was was a mild heart attack compared to the other two and again a little indigestion with that pricking sensation so other than the first one the other two I would have never thought they were heart attacks but they were
I think male or female whatever you feel if you feel it is not quite right the best thing to do is get it checked out
Hope you are keeping well x
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Thank you for sharing this, the first I can see how was clear indicator or something very wrong but then the second two so difficult to know (if a person hasn’t had a attack before). I have high blood pressure and it’s been getting worse over last two weeks so was concerning me. It’s hard to know when might be wasting A&E time and that time it’s not a waste of time. But I am getting my blood pressure checked out as I’m getting high ratings at home but had a ok one at GP thus week. Utterly confusing,
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Hello
Obviously it is good to get our blood pressure stable which your Doctors will do eventually
Yes my second two heart attacks certainly were not text book as we say that is what I always say if in doubt then go to the Hospital
I had a couple of false alarms in between and I would say how sorry I was when I was at the Hospital and their reply was always the same which was
This is what we are here for we would rather you come and it be a false alarm than stop at home and something happen
So I would think wherever you live all Hospitals and staff would say the same x
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Good advice, it’s just so hard to tell. I go to a very run down A&E I feel sorry for the staff they deserve better (new hospital taking years and years to finish), But better safe than sorry! The sorry bit is frightening I have kids not at an age to look after themselves. Somtimes I think just let me get to the stage one of them is 18😊 thanks again.
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Hello
Always put your health first even though your Hospital is struggling they would want you to go if you had any doubts
I remember years ago been afraid something would happen to me before my Children grew up and would say the same thing as you in my head they all grew up and nothing did happen they are now 42 , 36 and 28
OK so they got to these ages and yes I had my heart attacks but I do know that anxious feeling when they are growing up that you want to have brought them up before anything happens but nothing will you will be ok x
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Thank you, you’ve totally understood where I was coming from, makes me feel normal!!! I need to focus on being here for as long as possible, rather than worrying something will happen, tough one though!
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Hello
You are normal I think more think this way than we realise it is just they do not speak about it or maybe focus on it as much as some do they let the thought come and go where we seem to hang on to it
But you wait you will be seeing them grow up and try not to do what I did waste those wonderful years worrying as you cannot get them back and before you know it they are adults x
Have to add my experience here as a 51 year old woman. I can honestly say that I had no symptoms at all up until the day it happened. I didn’t have the chest pain either. I just felt so weird that I knew there was something very wrong with me. Strange feeling up and down my arms, couldn’t talk properly,felt nauseous,slumped on sofa after driving car home from work. I’d had no previous history of high blood pressure, no high cholesterol and not diabetic. Was not a classic heart attack waiting to happen. Dad died from a heart attack at 44. And a smoking habit which I have managed to give up since. Rushed to Harefield and had one stent fitted and had 3 blood clots near my heart. They cleared 2 on way in and have one still in my left ventricle. Know I was very lucky. First call to 999 my partner was told 2 hours as I said I didn’t have a pain in my chest. Got him to call back fortunately to lie and say I had pain. They arrived in 3 minutes and ecg and straight in ambulance and fortunate to be 10 mins from Harefield. Hope my experience can help someone and always trust your gut. 1st June so nearly a year since it happened and very thankful to Harefield hospital for saving my life.
Crikey that’s scary but shows how these things can happen so differently, and the NHS at its best coming to your rescue. Life changes are key, I can’t seem to move on from worrying at present which doesn’t help with making changes. Thanks for sharing, it looks like In your case you just knew something was wrong. Take care
Hello. I had a major STEMI heart attack 10 months ago aged 60. Total blockage of artery. I had a history of high blood pressure but controlled on medication. On the day of the HA I was at work, no symptoms on that day or before, although I do remember for a few days before I had a constant feeling of what I can only describe as dread, that something was going to happen. At work on the day I went out to put my things in my car and suddenly felt sick, and was sick, made it back to the office feeling very strange, within 5 minutes I had chest and arm pain and then collapsed. I was very lucky a work colleague recognised what was happening, ambulance arrived within 10 minutes and after 1.5 hours I had been treated in the cardiac unit and was in the coronary care unit. I can honestly say I had no real symptoms ( apart from the strange feeling of dread) until it happened out of the blue. I realise and try and remember how very lucky I was/am
Hello, thank you for sharing this, you were and are lucky, I do wonder what would happen if I was home alone.....there seems not many commonality between Symptoms / what have experienced, only similarity coming across may be the initial uneasiness, dread and feeling of something is not right. That’s been really useful to know. Thanks
Hi, I was 53 years old and not yet menopausal when I had my sudden heart attack. I was on high blood pressure tablets but under control. Went out a wee 4 mile walk alone and after climbing a small hill was chuffed with myself for climbing it in a oner! Few minutes later my heart area went cold( it was December) and stuffed my gloves in my bra on the left side 🤣 and kept on walking downhill. With a mile left til home , I didn’t feel so good. Just knew something was wrong but didn’t have my phone to dial 999.( should have). By the time I reached my empty house I had a cold sweat down my neck and back. Never felt that before or since. No pain anywhere. No tingling sensation. Just a cold heart still.
Took an aspirin and grabbed my prescription list ( had read this somewhere and deep down I thought it was a heart attack but was too young and a woman) and knocked on next door neighbour . Went and sat down and said I wasn’t right.
999 was called, solo dr arrived first, ecg trace then a quick transfer to the Catheter Lab an hour away. BP 40/20 by then. Stemi heart attack. I was stented and walking around before my unaware hubbie finished his round of golf!
It all sounds dramatic. It may never happen to you. Just remember woman don’t often have pain. Time is so important. I was stented within the 2 hr golden time and although I now have some dead heart muscle my recovery time was quicker.
Thinking back, I never had any forewarnings.
If in doubt phone 999. Let them decide. And remember the golden 2 hr window.
P.S. I find that lack of sleep slightly increases my heart rate, and sometimes then my blood pressure slightly which gives me a headache. I now take my phone everywhere and hubby has a fancy watch that takes messages now! I still love walking and also do 10 to 15 mile walks to keep my heart rate in check.
You were very organised even in the throws of what turned out to be a heart attack! I’m taking that tip of keeping a prescription list, and will remember the 2 hour rule, hoping I won’t need it. I think I need to learn what is normal for me and if changes then take steps. Interesting about the sleep and HBP connection, I’ve not been sleeping well last few nights and BP was raised some in the SYS 150’s And I’d put the recent headaches (migraine type) to Starting isosorbide mononitrate ( I understand this is common), eased off a little and today after a better nights sleep BP in 120’s and less headache! Thanks for sharing, there seems to be no pattern other than you know it’s not right!
Hi fishface(!) A really interesting topic and one that also highlights the big difference that can occur between males and females presenting at a& e and how their symptoms are dealt with.Take a look at Carolyn Thomas Heart Sisters website for some truly eye opening information aimed specifically at female heart patients.
In my case, my ha although completely out of the blue was preceded by a couple of warning signs - what I thought was indigestion and also a strange feeling in my throat, like pressure (very weird), for a couple of weeks. One consultant I spoke to in hospital acknowledged this throat thing as a symptom, but weirdly I have found very little about it anywhere else. Indeed when I thought it may be happening again a few months ago, my telephone appointment with the GP simply put it down to a sore throat and could I look in the mirror and see if it was red! You couldn't make it up!
It's certainly true that the classic "Hollywood heart atttack" is not typical. It's also true that heart research and treatment is heavily skewed towards males. This does need to change.
On a practical note, if things aren't right for you, push until you get answers, even if that means a lot of pushing.
Hello thanks you for the website recommendation, had a quick skim of the Heart Sisters definitely will Have a good read. I’ll start with the documentary Typical Heart. Yes until started to look into all of this, it’s quickly dispelled my own stereotype thoughts of what a heart attack looks like. But definitely pushing for answers, at the moment confused / unsure, just want to understand so can put in context as it were re risk of heart attack but it’s becoming clear you just don’t know when, how and where or may not happen at all!
It is important that we don't wait for the scenario on movies, totally not like that. I had no family history, no high blood pressure, I was diabetic. We were moving house, I had nearly lost my husband weeks previously. It felt like an iron fist clutching my heart sometimes, but honestly, ambulance crew even emergency did not think it was heart attack. Registrar had seen me in hospital with my husband, knew what we had been through, she made me stay in hospital for a week until angiogram, 2 stents. They said she saved me by doing that. Next HA different, still very mild symptoms , bit of a sweat and occasional arm pain, again ambulance didn't think it was. Only troponin level shows it up on me. Stress is my worst enemy and who doesn't have stress. Even last stent I had put in, barely had pain, but LAD artery blocked. I live with chronic pain, so those questions on pain levels are not relevant, I also think most females are used to putting up with pain . All I know that if you don't feel right, seek help!! Take care. Moni
Thank you for sharing your experiences and hope you get some comfort soon from your chronic pain. We are definitely dependent on medical people assessing right and taking account of differences. I’m have wondered if a female cardiologist would see things different to a male cardiologist? I’ve drawn a blank with the GP, he felt nothing wrong re CAD, not sure why on heart meds and said all down to obesity, anxiety and stress. Awaiting cardiologist follow up appointment. Hope to go through all my questions. Take care
Hi. I had no obvious (to me) symptoms of a heart attack (I’m male) but a lot of the above resonates with me around symptoms I’m 42 so didn’t even think it could be so serious. I had a STEMI and I’m not sure I’d realise again it was happening. I work in the NHS and there was a national campaign on heart attack symptom myths in Feb this year. To be honest I saw very little in terms of advertising (and I was looking out for it) so I think it generally went by unnoticed which is a real shame. There was no differentiation between male and female symptoms, although the main message was phone 999 - but if you don’t say you have chest pain they might not come to you. It’s a difficult one and something I want to raise awareness on - because we are the other side and unfortunately been through it. A very thought provoking topic indeed and something close to us all. Chris. england.nhs.uk/2022/02/nhs-...
Hi chriswood79. I definitely missed that campaign - which means I guess a lot of other people did too. A real missed opportunity which probably cost a lot of money. Thank you for the link.
Hi never heard or seen that campaign but having read the main page, it is a shame, wonder if jus put me or lots of people may not have seen it. I also found it scary but yes de myths the “Hollywood heart” view. Thank you for sharing. This has been very useful especially the link, hope other people see it. Take care. More distinction regards women is needed but your experience shows overall it’s about recognising these what now seem to be more common symptoms but it’s the more “dramatic” type heart most people think of.
Hi, I had a critical blockage of a coronary artery when I was 45. I had chest pain intermittently - even when at rest. I broke out in sweats - thought it was the change. Horrendous headaches that lasted for days and very high BP. Oh and looking back, I had been exhausted for the previous 2-3 months.
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Thank you for sharing, I can relate to the above just not the sweats. Your Bio is also so helpful To read, And your point about being treating differently regards age and female is interesting. I do feel dismissed. And also welcome, looks like your only just joined.
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I have just joined - I’ve been feeling utterly overwhelmed since the second stent. It feels like all the meds have prevented nothing. I’m having very morbid thoughts, and I feel very vulnerable and emotional. Just can’t seem to shake it off! It’s good to feel connected with others though.
My unexpected massive heart attack a STEMI and cardiac arrest was end of July 21. I believed I’d not had any symptoms but in hindsight I might have but they hadn’t been specific to a heart attack at all. And as I was fit with no risk factors I thought I was the least likely to have a heart attack. Many symptoms of a heart attack in men and women can also be explained away as other things. In the past women weren’t deemed to be at risk of a heart attack so the symptoms they had were dismissed as other things. Women were labelled as having hysterical. Anxious or have gastric symptoms than a heart attack. Apparently worsening nausea for a while before a heart is more comen in women than men but it doesn’t mean everyone who’s experiencing this is going to have a heart attack. Looking back I did have worsening nausea over a week before but as I have a hiatus hernia dismissed it away, at the time of my heart attack yes I had pain but the worst thing I remember is being freezing cold soooooo cold I hurt all over and was shivering. My temperature was 34.6!!!
There’s good books out there if you look explaining the differences in symptoms between men and women but as it’s been said everyone is different. A symptom can have a number of causes. Would I have done anything differently about the nausea if I knew of the link? Not before hand I don’t think but I’d have been more switched on to the possibility of a heart attack so might have acted quicker at the time of the attack. Some people still think it’s unusual for women- fit or not- to have a heart attack so it can be attitudes that need changing.
Sorry for long waffle but as we all know here nothing is totally black and white.
No apology needed, really helpful post and poses questions regards attitudes that need changing for proper and timely diagnosis of women. I know I have to really push for answers to ensure proper diagnosis and to be believed (whilst fearing a heart attack whether founded or not) but seems even harder as a woman, but I think that applies to many areas in life!!!!!
No symptoms prior to my HA aged 48 stood out but family history was an issue. Symptoms started after breakfast with a central chest ache that remained all day from. Laid down about 6pm as I felt a bit rough. Got terrible pain in left wrist about 7pm (as if someone had stamped on it). Got up to use the bathroom. Felt burning hot and sweaty. Pain in chest increased. Thought I was going to be sick. Felt faint so laid on kitchen floor, sweating profusely at this point. Told husband I needed ambulance as I knew something serious was going on. Paramedic came. Everything was showing normal but pain in chest, arm and neck was in awful waves - the pain in my neck was like someone was pulling my head backwards. Gave me morphine. Sat me up and blood pressure dropped. Pain got worse. Ambulance came. Still showing normal ecg, bp, oxygen. Set off for local A&E just in case. Just as we pulled in to hospital I felt really odd and out of it so they did another ecg before offloading me, the paramedics face changed and we diverted with blue lights to Harefield. Straight into cath lab and had one stent (I’ve since had two more stents). Sorry for long post but hope this might help. Like others have said, I really think every case is unique and please don’t ever feel you’re wasting the time of medics - better to be safe than sorry! Take care and stay well x
Thank you for sharing and no apology needed for explaining as helps with understandIng and reinforcing the uniqueness of everyone’s experience. The only common thread if I was to conclude one is people just know something is properly wrong especially where symptoms subtle. Gut instinct.
Having been someone that has a huge family history of heart problems and cardio phobia I had a heart attack 3 weeks ago (I’m 44) I hope you are well 🙂 I can honestly say in my experience I did think mine was anxiety at first but within a few minutes it was very different (pain in neck, teeth, and running down both arms as well as chest) I had been poorly with various things in the weeks prior and had terrible stomach pains in the 48 hours previous to attack. I suffer from terrible anxiety and have done for most of my life. I guess we are all different and just doing what we can to get through things. It’s hard and we shouldn’t undervalue or own experiences neither, we all cope differently. Not sure if any of that helped but I wish you well and take care of yourself x
Non stemi 2018. 3 days of extreme indigestion and belching and pain in my back. Lived on Rennies until evening of day 3 when I suddenly felt prickling and tingling up my neck and jaw and down left arm. Only then did I ring 999. In A&E I had BP checked by a nurse then pushed into a corridor behind a swing door t hat locked every time a nurse went through. NO one cam near until day shift came on. Paramedics had seen changes on ECG that made them think heart but nurse ignored me because I didn't have the usual advertised symptoms eg grey sweating and clutching chest. Taken in around 10.30pm, didn't get blood test until around 7am; 2 hour wait for results; finally admitted around 1pm.
Hi my NStemi heart attack happened totally out of the blue in April 21. I had no previous signs or symptoms. On the Friday I had slight pain in the middle of my chest lasting about 20 mins. I wondered if it could be indigestion ( never had it before), was slightly worried but because it had gone away went to bed as normal. Next day I was sitting in the garden about 3 o’clock when the same feeling came on. I tried to breathe it away and went inside to lie down and see if that helped. This lasted about an hour or so. My husband was at work but told me to go to A& E, however because I thought it was probably indigestion I didn’t go and it wore off so I thought there was no point. Next day I was absolutely fine until about 12 o’clock when I developed an uncomfortable pain in my right shoulder blade/back, but no chest pain. Still didn’t think to go to the hospital until later in the evening when it was still there so thought I had better just get it checked out. Troponin levels were really high which I was told indicated a heart attack. Had 3 stents in totally blocked LAD. No family history or any factors that would contribute to this. Hope this helps. Trish x
Hi, I had my heart attack last year, I had the typical sort of indigestion feelings but the doctors ecg was normal and I was told I was vitamin D deficient. A month later I had a mini stroke followed by a full heart attack 2 days later. In fairness, apart from the indigestion feelings I had nothing. I was working 60 hours a week (non manual) but had no real symptoms and as I was told the ecg was fine assumed it was just my age (I was 47). Probably not much help for you but gives some indication of symptoms before the heart attack, there was no stabbing chest pain or pain in left arm like on TV, One minute I was working on my laptop, next minute I was gone and came round to ambulance people in my room and a stressed looking husband. Hope this helps with your research into women and heart attacks. I think we are all different but I was told at the hospital that women don't have the same pains that men have.
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