The most common heart attack symptom is pain or discomfort in the middle of the chest. The pain or discomfort can be mild or strong. It can last more than a few minutes, or it can go away and come back.

Women are more likely than men to have nontraditional symptoms of heart attack like the ones below:

  • Pain in the back, neck, jaw, or throat
  • Indigestion
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Problems breathing

The risk of heart attack goes up for women after age 55 and for men after age 45.

If you think you may be having a heart attack, call 911 right away.

Do not drive to the hospital before calling 911. You may need medical help on the way to the hospital.

Getting to the hospital quickly is important.Some treatments work best within the first hour after a heart attack starts.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you are overreacting or to wait and see.

Source: US Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health

More Help from SFHP

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