Men's symptoms of a heart attack
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Men's Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Common Symptoms of Heart Attack in Men
Heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions, present with a variety of symptoms that can differ between men and women. For men, the most commonly reported symptom is chest pain or discomfort. This symptom is widely recognized and reported by 95% of individuals experiencing a heart attack5. Other significant symptoms include pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders, shortness of breath, and feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint3.
Less Common Symptoms in Men
While chest pain is the predominant symptom, men may also experience other symptoms, though less frequently than women. These include dizziness or lightheadedness, palpitations, and loss of consciousness1. Men are also more likely to report diaphoresis (excessive sweating) during a heart attack2.
Differences in Symptom Presentation Between Men and Women
Research indicates that there are notable differences in how heart attack symptoms present in men compared to women. While chest pain is common in both sexes, women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms such as back and jaw pain, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion2. Men, on the other hand, tend to report more classic symptoms like chest pain and diaphoresis2.
Importance of Recognizing Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack is crucial for timely medical intervention. Immediate action, such as calling emergency services (9-1-1), can significantly improve survival rates and outcomes by ensuring rapid access to lifesaving treatments3 5. Despite the high recognition of chest pain as a symptom, only a small percentage of the population correctly identifies all major symptoms and knows to call emergency services5.
Conclusion
Understanding the symptoms of a heart attack is vital for early detection and treatment. Men typically experience chest pain, but other symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, and loss of consciousness can also occur. Recognizing these signs and acting quickly by calling emergency services can save lives. Public health efforts should continue to focus on educating the public about the full spectrum of heart attack symptoms to improve outcomes for all individuals.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Knowledge on Symptoms and Risk Factors of Heart Attack among Male Adults in Rural Telangana
Majority of men in rural Telangana are aware of most heart attack symptoms and risk factors, but need more awareness on physical inactivity and smoking.
Observational StudySymptoms in acute coronary syndromes: does sex make a difference?
Women experience more atypical symptoms of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) than men, highlighting potential sex differences in the condition.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedAmerican Heart Month — February 2019
American Heart Month is an ideal time to encourage adults to learn the common signs and symptoms of heart attacks and call 9-1-1 for immediate emergency cardiac care.
Cardiology patient page: warning signs of a heart attack.
Learn the signs of a heart attack and what to do if you experience them.
Highly CitedPublic recognition of major signs and symptoms of heart attack: seventeen states and the US Virgin Islands, 2001.
Public health efforts are needed to increase recognition of major heart attack symptoms and knowledge of calling 9-1-1 for an acute event.
Observational StudyHighly CitedGender and age differences in chief complaints of acute myocardial infarction (Worcester Heart Attack Study).
Women and older women are less likely to have chest pain as their chief complaint in acute myocardial infarction, with a large proportion of patients not presenting with chest pain as their main symptom.
Observational StudyHighly CitedMyocardial Infarction: Symptoms and Treatments
Myocardial infarction (MI) is caused by plaques in arteries, and immediate treatment includes aspirin, nitroglycerin, and thrombolytic drugs.
Highly CitedWomen and coronary disease: relationship between descriptors of signs and symptoms and diagnostic and treatment course.
Women experience different symptoms and are less likely to receive angiography and certain therapies for acute myocardial infarction compared to men.
Observational StudyHighly CitedGender differences in symptom presentation associated with coronary heart disease.
Women are more likely to present with non-chest pain symptoms associated with coronary heart disease, but overall, women and men present with more similarities than differences in symptoms.
Observational StudyHighly CitedTypical and Atypical Symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome: Time to Retire the Terms?
The terms "typical" and "atypical" should be retired and standardized for acute coronary syndrome symptom assessment, ensuring proper diagnostic testing and treatment for women.
Rigorous Journal