Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Heart Attack: How Symptoms Differ In Men And Women

<span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/heart-attack">Heart attack</a></span> is the world's number one killer, yet its symptoms differ for both men and women, leading to varied outcomes.

A heart attack typically occurs when cholesterol plaque builds inside the walls of arteries and causes damage to the major blood vessels. 

While men typically develop plaque in the largest arteries that supply blood to the heart, in women, it accumulates in the heart’s smallest blood vessels, known as the microvasculature.

A study published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, an <span>American Heart Association</span> journal, showed that women report less artery-clogging plaque. Yet, it did not protect them from heart disease compared to men. 

The study showed that women faced increased heart risk at lower levels of plaque compared to men. For total plaque burden, women’s risk began to rise at 20 percent plaque burden, while men’s risk started at 28 percent. 

The increasing plaque levels led to a sharper risk for women than for men. 

<h2>How Heart Attack Symptoms Differ Between Men And Women</h2>

According to global studies, women are more likely than men to die from a heart attack. The major reason is the late onset of symptoms of a heart attack in women.

During a heart attack, men are likely to experience sweating, pain in the chest, arms, and legs, and shortness of breath. 

While the experiences are common among women, they also tend to suffer a combination of less-recognized symptoms such as <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/nausea">nausea</a></span>, indigestion, fatigue, dizziness, and pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen, or back. 

The obvious chest discomfort is also sometimes absent during heart attacks in women.

Other common reasons for heart attacks in women include:

<ul><li>High testosterone levels before <span rel="noindex">menopause</span></li><li> <span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/hypertension">Hypertension</a></span> during menopause</li><li> Autoimmune diseases such as <span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis</a></span></li><li> Stress and depression</li></ul>

<h2>Can Heart Attacks Be Prevented? </h2>

Cardiovascular diseases are mostly preventable by targeting traditional risk factors common to both women and men, which include obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history and metabolic syndrome -- the co-existence of high blood pressure, obesity, and high glucose and triglyceride levels.

The American Heart Association also advises at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (such as jogging), or a combination of both. 

Include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, nuts, and seeds in your diet. 

Limit processed foods, added sugars, sodium, and alcohol.

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Heart attack is the world's number one killer, yet its symptoms differ for both men and women, leading to varied outcomes.A heart attack typically occurs when cholesterol plaque builds inside the walls of arteries and causes damage to the major blood vessels. While men typically develop plaque in the largest arteries that supply blood to the heart, in women, it accumulates in the heart’s smallest blood vessels, known as the microvasculature.A study published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, an American Heart Association journal, showed that women report less artery-clogging plaque. Yet, it did not protect them from heart disease compared to men. The study showed that women faced increased heart risk at lower levels of plaque compared to men. For total plaque burden, women’s risk began to rise at 20 percent plaque burden, while men’s risk started at 28 percent. The increasing plaque levels led to a sharper risk for women than for men.  How Heart Attack Symptoms Differ Between Men And WomenAccording to global studies, women are more likely than men to die from a heart attack. The major reason is the late onset of symptoms of a heart attack in women.During a heart attack, men are likely to experience sweating, pain in the chest, arms, and legs, and shortness of breath. While the experiences are common among women, they also tend to suffer a combination of less-recognized symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, fatigue, dizziness, and pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen, or back. The obvious chest discomfort is also sometimes absent during heart attacks in women.Other common reasons for heart attacks in women include:High testosterone levels before menopause Hypertension during menopause Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis Stress and depressionCan Heart Attacks Be Prevented? Cardiovascular diseases are mostly preventable by targeting traditional risk factors common to both women and men, which include obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history and metabolic syndrome -- the co-existence of high blood pressure, obesity, and high glucose and triglyceride levels.The American Heart Association also advises at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (such as jogging), or a combination of both. Include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, nuts, and seeds in your diet. Limit processed foods, added sugars, sodium, and alcohol.