When it comes to heart attacks, men and women are different. We’ve all been taught that the most common sign of a heart attack is pain in the left arm and chest discomfort. But for women, chest pain may not be the first sign of trouble.

Our lack of knowledge is proving dangerous for women, especially now that cardiovascular disease is the rise and is the number one killer of women in Canada and worldwide.

Gender Determines Survival

Research completed by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) determined that women with a first-time heart attack or stroke were more likely than men to die in hospital within 30 days. The risk of dying was 16 percent greater for women than men. Those findings were confirmed by further research published in the December 2008 edition of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.  The study also found that recommended treatments are often delayed and underused in women.

 “We have gaps in our knowledge about the prevention and treatment of heart disease in women. For one thing, women historically haven't been included in scientific research studies to the extent men have,” said cardiologist Sharonne Hayes, M.D., Director of the Women's Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic. Hayes also points to research done by National Institutes of Health that shows how women can still be at risk of heart disease even when their arteries appear clear on an angiogram. This means close to three million women diagnosed with healthy hearts may actually be at risk for heart disease.  

Symptoms Common Among Women

Heart attack signs are often quite subtle in women and can go unnoticed by both women and their doctors. Female sufferers frequently assume their symptoms are caused by something else and will clear up on their own.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends seeking medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Unusual fatigue that gets worse with activity
• Difficulty breathing
• Heartburn or abdominal discomfort unrelieved by antacids
• Nausea and/or vomiting unrelieved by antacids
• Anxiety
• Tightening and pain in the chest that may extend into the neck, jaws and shoulders
• General feeling of weakness
• Paleness
• Sweating

Symptoms Common Among Men

Warning signs are usually more straightforward with men but equally as dangerous. The American Heart Association warns that not all heart attacks are sudden and intense. Most start slowly, with the following symptoms:

• Chest discomfort. Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. The pain may be mild to intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy weight. Pain may also be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw, or inside the arms or shoulders.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Increased or irregular heart rate.  
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, feeling lightheaded or a sudden sense of impending doom. 

Act Fast

Even if you’re not sure about your symptoms, seek medical help. Male or female, minutes matter during a heart attack. Don’t wait longer than five minutes to seek medical attention immediately. Fast action may save your life.