Do You Know the Different Heart Attack Symptoms in Men and Women?

November 2018

You might think you know what a heart attack looks like—you clutch your chest in pain and fall to the ground. But heart attacks don’t always stick to this script—especially in women.

Here’s a look at some of the different heart attack symptoms in men and women.

In women

Women are more likely to have atypical and subtle symptoms during a heart attack, including:

• Fatigue. You may feel tired for days without a clear reason.

• Dull Pain. While chest pain is the most common sign, you may feel pain or discomfort in your neck, back, jaw, or stomach.

• Nausea. You may vomit or feel sick to your stomach.

• Shortness of breath. You may have a hard time breathing, even when sitting down.

In men

Men are more likely to experience the typical symptoms we associate with heart attacks, including:

• Severe chest pain. You may feel like someone is squeezing or heart or like you have a large weight on your chest.

• Shooting pain. You may feel a pain shooting down your left arm.

• Cold sweat. You may break out in a cold sweat.

Whether you’re a man or women, if you suspect you might be having a heart attack, call 911. Every second counts.