Women's Heart Attack Symptoms Differ from Men
Men and women often experience heart disease in different ways.
“During a heart attack, women’s symptoms can be more subtle,” says Alfreda Bell, MD, a Family Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold’s Houston Center Clinic. “Women are less likely than men to experience chest pain. If they do, it may not be severe.
"Research also suggests that women are more likely to have ‘atypical’ symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue or back pain. Not only are these symptoms easy to ignore, but many women believe that heart disease is mainly a man’s disease, and it’s not.”
According to the American Heart Association, more women die from cardiovascular disease each year than from any other cause.
“That’s why it’s so important that women know their numbers and get regular screenings for cholesterol and blood pressure,” says Dr. Bell.
Here are the key measurements to know about yourself:
| THE MEASUREMENT | NORMAL RANGE | WHAT ELSE
YOU SHOULD KNOW |
| Blood pressure | 120/80 | New research suggests that blood pressure below 120/80 is best for good health. |
| “Good” Cholesterol (HDL) | 50 mg/dL or greater | "Good" cholesterol helps remove unhealthy fats from inside your arteries, so it's better to have more. |
| "Bad" Cholesterol (LDL) | Less than 130 mg/dL | "Bad" cholesterol deposits unhealthy fats on your arteries, so less is better. |
| Total Cholesterol | Below 200 mg/dL | "Total cholesterol" is a combination of "good" and "bad" cholesterol. |
| Blood Glucose | Less than 110-110 mg/dL | A fasting blood glucose test indicates how much sugar is in your blood, and can indicate diabetes or pre-diabetes. |
| Weight | BMI of 25 or less | Click here to calculate your BMI, a ratio of your height to weight. |
(Please note: These are guidelines for average women at normal risk of heart disease. Women with a personal or family history of heart disease should consult their physician about these measurements.)
