International Women's Day 2023: Is Heart attack in women different from men? Know causes, symptoms and how to prevent it

13 Mar, 2023


Heart attacks are very frequent in this modern stressed world. In this busy life, women are very prone to not only heart related diseases, but also a lot more than that. Heart attacks in women are very different from that in men.


Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

There are times when women may experience no or silent symptoms that usually get unnoticed. According to research, women experience symptoms several weeks before a heart attack. The most common heart attack symptom in women is the same as in men- chest pain, pressure or discomfort for more than a few minutes that occurs frequently. However it's possible to have a heart attack without any chest pain or even any symptoms.

Some of the common heart attack symptoms are:

  • Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper belly discomfort
  • Shortage of breath
  • Pain either or both arms
  • Nausea, vomiting, sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Heartburn (indigestion)

Compared with men, women tend to have symptoms more often while resting or even when they are asleep. Emotional stress can also play a major role in triggering heart attack symptoms in women.

Risk factors in women 

  • Diabetes: Compared to men with diabetes, women have a higher risk of developing heart disease. There is also a higher chance of experiencing a silent heart attack, which has no visible signs, as diabetes can alter how painful things feel for women.
  • Depression and Mental Stress:  Women’s hearts are more susceptible to stress and depression than men’s. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and adhering to treatment recommendations for various medical disorders may be challenging for someone who is depressed.
  • Smoking: Compared to men, women are more at risk for heart disease from smoking.
  • Inactivity. Lack of exercise is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
  • Menopause. During menopause, low oestrogen levels raise the risk of illness in smaller blood arteries.
  • Inactivity: Lack of exercise is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
  • Problems with pregnancy: Diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy can raise the mother’s long-term chance of developing these conditions. Women are likewise more likely to get heart disease due to these problems.
  • Early heart disease in the family history: This seems to be a risk factor that affects women more than males.
  • Inflammatory conditions: Both men and women may have an increased risk of developing heart disease as a result of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory diseases.

Heart Disease Prevention and Measures

These heart healthy remedies will open your path of living a healthy lifestyle and will reduce the risk of heart attacks.


  • Give up smoking: Stop smoking if you don't already. Avoid secondhand smoke as much as you can because it can potentially harm your blood vessels.
  • Adopt a balanced diet: Choose lean meats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as well as low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Steer clear of additional sugars, saturated or trans fats, and a lot of salt.
  • Maintain a healthy weight by exercising: Even a small weight loss can reduce your risk of developing heart disease if you are overweight. Find out what weight is ideal for you by speaking with your doctor.
  • Stress management: An increase in the risk of heart disease, particularly coronary microvascular disease, can be brought on by stress, which can tighten the arteries. Some techniques for managing stress include increasing physical activity, engaging in mindfulness exercises, and forming supportive relationships.

How to maintain Balanced Diet for prevention of Heart attack


  • Regulate your serving size: Both what you eat and how much of it matters. Consuming more calories than necessary might result from overfilling your plate, going back for seconds, and stopping when you're full. Restaurant portions are frequently larger than anyone needs. To help you regulate your servings, use a tiny plate or dish. Consume more nutrient-rich, low-calorie foods like fruits and vegetables. Consume high-calorie, high-sodium items in moderation, such as refined, processed, or fast food.
  • Consume more fruits and vegetables: You may be able to reduce your intake of high-calorie meals like meat, cheese, and snack foods by increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. Maintain sliced and washed vegetables in your refrigerator for quick snacking. Choose recipes using fruits or vegetables as the major ingredients, like fruit salads or stir-fries with veggies.
  • Include legumes, olive oil, garlic, organic tree, nuts, seeds and whole grains in your diet.

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