FCMSJF 2012

How can you tell if you are having a heart attack, stomach indigestion, or simply arthritis pain? There are definite early warning signs and symptoms of heart attacks. Women can experience all, some, a few, or none of these symptoms. Only examination by a doctor, who will administer an electrocardiogram (EKG) and/or a blood test, can confirm if you are having or have experienced a heart attack.

Each woman will present with different symptoms of a heart attack. Some women experience several symptoms while others show all symptoms. There are women who show no symptoms before their heart attack. The sooner you can recognize your symptoms and take appropriate actions, the better.

The symptoms to be aware of:

Discomfort, tightness, uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or comes and goes

Crushing chest pain

Pressure or pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, upper back, jaw, or arms

Dizziness or nausea

Clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness

Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness - especially with exertion

Stomach or abdominal pain

Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

Some women mistakenly think only crushing chest pain is a symptom of a heart attack and, therefore, delay seeking medical care. Others have found that healthcare providers have failed to recognize their heart attack symptoms by attributing the cause of symptoms to other health problems, such as indigestion. This is why it is so important to insist that the doctor or nurse administer an EKG test or an enzyme blood test to see if you are having a heart attack. Don't be shy - it's your heart and your life!

According to the text you can detect you're having a heart attack: