Nonspecific symptoms: heart attacks in women are often detected late

Gender differences in myocardial infarction: What should women know

Although some people think that heart attacks are exclusive to Men but also in women, the myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes of death in the industrialized countries. There are, however, in comparison to the male gender some of the differences, explain health experts.

Heart attack, detect in a timely manner

According to health experts, around 300,000 people in Germany suffer a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Although a lot of people are taken out of “the blue” of a heart attack, but often there are already certain signs of this. To quickly detect a heart attack can be lifesaving. However, especially in women, the disease is not detected often. This may also have something to do with it, that there are compared to men some of the differences. For example, the heart attack often with other warning symptoms.

Heart attacks in Western countries in women and men one of the most common causes of death. However, there are some differences between the sexes. Often, the infarction in women with other signs on the horizon. (Image: SENTELLO/

No Men Thing

Heart attacks are often viewed as a matter for men, but in reality, the leading of death in women in Germany, non-cancer cause, but since the year of 2002, heart attacks and strokes.

“While in men, the Rate decreases in deaths due to cardiovascular diseases continuously decreases in women less and even increases between the age of 40. and 55. Age of what is led back to the fact that more and more women smoke“, writes the German heart Foundation on their website.

And more and more young women are affected, such as US-American scientists have reported.

According to the experts, the heart Foundation also differences in the symptoms of the heart attack exist between the sexes.

Instead of the strong pain, a pressure or tightness

A classic identifying sign for a heart attack, including severe chest pain that can radiate to different regions of the body such as the arms, between the shoulder blades in the back or in the neck.

The experts, however, point out that women in the chest area instead of severe pain, is more likely to be a pressure or tightness that needs to be taken at least as seriously.

Also, jaw pain, and a violent Burning in the chest can be important clues to a heart attack.

Non-Specific Signs

This can, however, make a heart attack all alone with so-called “nonspecific signs”, which occurs in women slightly more often than men, reported the German heart Foundation.

Include non-specific signs of shortness of breath, upper abdominal pain, Nausea and vomiting, for example.

Certain leg is a possible indication of a heart attack are pain.

“Since such complaints can also occur with other more benign diseases, the German heart Foundation is to always call the ambulance, if these non-specific symptoms in a never experienced extent,” write the experts.

“Possibly a heart attack is behind it.” (ad)