Heart disease can be equally concerning and severe for men and women, but the symptoms are not always the same for both. Several heart disease symptoms and warning signs of heart attacks are different for women. Understanding these signs and symptoms, some of which can begin weeks before a heart attack, can help avert a medical emergency. By identifying the symptoms, one can promptly consult a doctor and keep their health in check.

1. Pain or discomfort in the chest
A telltale warning sign of a heart attack is angina or chest pain. But this pain or discomfort can be different for women. At the onset, women may experience a general discomfort in the chest, like a feeling of heaviness or fullness. Further, this discomfort or pain can be on either side of the chest and not necessarily on the left. Some women may also experience tightness or a feeling of squeezing in the center of the chest. This sign may last a few minutes and can even come and go.

2. Pain in the arms
Experiencing a sharp pain in the left arm is usually associated with heart disease or heart attacks. But this pain can actually extend to either or both of the arms and not only the left arm. This symptom of heart trouble is also more commonly associated with females than males. Moreover, this pain can either be sudden or have a gradual onset. One may also experience an increase and decrease in the intensity of the pain .

3. Pain in the neck, jaws, and the back
Along with the arms, one can also experience pain in the neck, jaws, and upper back. This symptom of heart attack is also more common in women than men. Like arm pain, the pain felt in these parts can also be gradual or sudden.

4. Abdominal pain or discomfort
Feeling discomfort or pain in the stomach is a symptom of heart disease in women that is often overlooked or mistaken for stomach issues. Women may also experience stomach pain similar to the one caused by the flu. Another stomach discomfort that women may experience, which could be a sign of heart disease or heart attacks, is feeling severe pressure in the abdomen.

5. Shortness of breath
If one experiences shortness of breath or difficulty breathing without any exertion or other possible reason, it could be a warning sign of a heart attack. This happens when the heart becomes unable to pump blood properly. Because of this, the blood that is supposed to reach the heart from the lungs flows back up into the vein and leaks into the lungs. Shortness of breath is a symptom that is experienced by both men and women but is more common heart trouble symptom in females. It could be especially alarming if one experiences it along with any of the other heart attack symptoms.

6. Cold sweats
Breaking out in a cold sweat is also a common sign of a heart attack, especially in women. Sweating that feels unusual and happens without any activity and hot flashes should not be ignored as these could be a warning sign of a heart attack.

7. Nausea and vomiting
These are also two common warning signs of a heart attack that are more common in women than men. Since these symptoms are also common in indigestion and various other conditions, they are easy to overlook. But along with other symptoms, one must keep a keen eye out for nausea and vomiting as well .

8. Fatigue and weakness
Feeling unusually tired and fatigued is another common sign of a heart attack that one must look out for. One might experience extreme fatigue without any exertion and despite being at rest. In some cases, the fatigue may be so intense that one might find it difficult to even perform small tasks . If one experiences such unusual fatigue and weakness, it is crucial to seek prompt medical attention.

9. Dizziness
Lightheadedness, dizziness, and feeling like fainting are also warning signs of a heart attack that could be common in women. So, it is crucial to keep an eye out for these symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if noticed.

While these symptoms can be a warning sign of a heart attack, it is important to note that they may not always or necessarily be indicative of that. There are chances that these symptoms could be due to other reasons or even other health conditions. Regardless, it is important for one to consult a doctor and get a clear picture of the reason at the earliest .

Causes
One of the most common causes of heart attacks is the blockage of coronary arteries, which prevents the proper flow of blood. This artery blockage is usually caused by a build-up of cholesterol-containing deposits called plaques. Besides the clogging of arteries, heart attacks could also be caused by several other reasons. Some common ones include existing health conditions such as hypertension or high blood pressure, coronary artery spasm, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (in which heart artery sustains a tear), and certain viral infections.

Apart from these, there are also several factors that can increase the risk of heart disease or heart attacks. These include living a sedentary lifestyle without enough physical activity, not following a healthy food regimen, and having a family history of heart attacks.