Heart attack in women: Different symptoms than men and more often fatal

Created: 09/26/2022, 2:00 p.m

By: Natalie Hull Drawbar

A heart attack often manifests itself differently in women than in men.

As a result, it is often recognized too late, with fatal consequences.

When you think of a heart attack, many probably think of a man clutching his chest.

This sharp pain that radiates into the arms is one of many signs, but it is not the most common.

In men, a heart attack is often announced with heavy sweating.

Women often show different symptoms than men, so that in many cases these are not correctly interpreted - the heart attack then often ends fatally.

Heart attack: It is more likely to be fatal in women

Women often show different symptoms than men, so that in many cases these are not correctly interpreted.

(Iconic image) © Andriy Popov/Imago

More than 300,000 people suffer a heart attack in Germany every year, according to the German Center for Cardiovascular Research.

V.” In comparison: the number of stroke patients per year is almost 200,000.

Warning signs are different and non-specific for a heart attack, and the symptoms for a stroke can also vary – but in both cases the signs are noticeable long beforehand.

Statistically, women are less likely to suffer a heart attack than men.

According to the

, four out of 100 deaths in women in 2019 were heart attacks, compared to six out of 100 in men. However, according to the heart attack registry, heart attacks are more fatal in women than in male patients – even in emergency situations.

More women succumb to myocardial infarction before they can be treated in hospital.

This is largely due to the non-specific symptoms that affected women show and which are not immediately assigned to a heart attack.

Heart attack: Symptoms differ in women and men

Typical signs of a heart attack in women include:

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• pain in the upper abdomen

• nausea with vomiting

• back pain

• Jaw, neck or throat pain

• tiredness or weakness

• tightness in the chest

• Pain or pulling in one or both arms

• Severe shortness of breath

• shortness of breath

• drowsiness

• sweats

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This chest pain, which is classified as characteristic, can even be absent altogether.

In a so-called "silent heart attack" there are no symptoms at all, so it can quickly become life-threatening for the women affected.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.