Warning Signs of a Heart Attack in Women

Warning signs of a heart attack (myocardial infarction) in women are often subtle and easy to dismiss. As a woman, you are less likely than a man to have chest pain. You may have unusual fatigue, weakness, or other symptoms without chest pain.

Up to one month or longer before a heart attack, women are known to have the following warning signs and symptoms:

• Unusual tiredness with your usual activities, such as working or taking the kids to their activities
• Tossing and turning at night, waking in the middle of the night, or waking up too early
• Shortness of breath
• Indigestion
• Anxiety, uneasiness, or sense of dread
• Heart racing or palpitations
• Heavy or weak feeling in your arms

During a heart attack, women are more likely than men to have these symptoms:

• Shortness of breath, or feeling like you can’t breathe or take a deep breath
• Feeling like you might throw up
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Heavy or weak feeling in the arms
• General weak feeling, or that you don’t have strength
• Dizziness or feeling as if you might pass out
• Fatigue
• Back or jaw pain