Sign of heart problems in women
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Summary
10 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that women with heart problems often present with atypical symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, back pain, and transient chest discomfort, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
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Signs of Heart Problems in Women
Common and Atypical Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women
Chest Pain and Discomfort
Chest pain remains the most common symptom of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in both men and women. However, women often describe this pain differently, experiencing it as pressure or tightness rather than the severe pain typically associated with heart attacks . This chest discomfort can be transient and non-specific, making it less likely to prompt further assessment for coronary disease in women.
Non-Classic Symptoms
Women frequently experience a range of non-classic symptoms that can be easily overlooked. These include fatigue, shortness of breath, back pain, and transient non-specific chest discomfort. Other symptoms reported more commonly by women than men include loss of appetite, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and back pain. Additionally, women may experience neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or abdominal discomfort, pain in one or both arms, nausea or vomiting, sweating, lightheadedness or dizziness, unusual fatigue, and indigestion .
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction
A significant number of women with persistent symptoms of ischemia show no evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) on angiography. This condition, known as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), is characterized by chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and decreased exercise tolerance. CMD is often poorly recognized and treated, yet it poses a significant risk for adverse cardiac events, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction .
Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment
Misinterpretation of Symptoms
Women often misinterpret their symptoms, not recognizing them as indicative of a heart attack. This misinterpretation can lead to delays in seeking medical help, reducing the effectiveness of treatments like thrombolytic therapy. The perception of risk is also flawed, with many women not seeing themselves as at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).
Underutilization of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Interventions
Despite presenting with similar initial symptoms, women are less likely than men to undergo diagnostic procedures like angiography or receive treatments such as intravenous nitroglycerin, heparin, and thrombolytic agents during acute management of myocardial infarction. This disparity in care can lead to worse outcomes for women.
Importance of Awareness and Education
Recognizing Unique Symptoms
Healthcare providers must be vigilant in recognizing the unique and often atypical symptoms of heart disease in women. This includes understanding the significance of non-classic symptoms and CMD, which are prevalent in women but often underdiagnosed .
Promoting Health Education
Educational interventions are crucial in helping women recognize the signs and symptoms of heart disease. Women need to be educated about their specific risk factors and the importance of seeking timely medical help. Clinicians should focus on individualized assessments and health promotion strategies tailored to women's unique experiences of cardiac pain.
Conclusion
Heart disease in women presents with a variety of symptoms, many of which are atypical and easily overlooked. Recognizing these symptoms and understanding the unique challenges in diagnosing and treating heart disease in women are critical for improving outcomes. Increased awareness, better education, and more tailored healthcare interventions are essential steps in addressing the unique needs of women with heart disease.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
9
Women's experiences of cardiac pain: a review of the literature.
9
34 Citations
2008