The heart attack has a truly terrible reputation. And it is well deserved: this disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.
Most often, when it comes to acute circulatory disorders of the heart, a certain category of people is implied. As a rule, these are men over 40 years old who are overweight and have bad habits. But issues related to heart attack in women are much less frequently covered. And that that we will talk about.
Heart attack in women: when to see a doctor
A heart attack in women proceeds with significant differences — often even an experienced cardiologist or emergency physician is not able to recognize in such symptoms a picture of an acute circulatory disorder in the heart. This leads to late diagnosis and, as a result, to a delay in treatment. And & nbsp; after all, time plays a decisive role in a heart attack.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to a number of symptoms, especially if they occur during or after physical or psycho-emotional stress, against the background of SARS or an exacerbation of any chronic disease:
-
Pain or numbness in left arm (may radiate to left shoulder blade, collarbone, neck and lower jaw).
-
Pain, burning, or pressure behind sternum.
-
Heartburn that is not relieved by antacids or a baking soda solution.
-
Shortness of breath, feeling short of breath.
-
Pale skin.
-
Profuse sweat, sweat cold and "sticky".
-
Cough, often with white frothy sputum.
A characteristic feature of a heart attack is an inexplicable and irrational feeling of fear — a person often begins to "foresee" his own death, which he openly declares.
Read also: Top 12 High Antioxidant Foods Available
The listed symptoms are not stable and not dynamic — they can be observed for several minutes, after which they weaken. And the catastrophic deterioration in health, which makes you turn to a doctor, develops only after a few hours or even days, when changes in the heart have become irreversible.
Therefore, if even one of such symptoms appears, you should immediately consult a doctor, and insist on prescribing an ECG and biochemical blood test — studies that allow to determine myocardial infarction in the first minutes and hours after its onset.
Infarction in women: atypical symptoms
A characteristic feature of a female heart attack is its atypical manifestation.
A woman may experience:
-
Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea (abdominal type).
-
Severe cardiac arrhythmia — many describe it as "the heart is beating in the & nbsp; throat" (arrhythmic type).
-
Acute lack of air, up to fainting due to inability to breathe (asthmatic type).
-
A sharp attack of severe dizziness, tinnitus, loss of consciousness (collaptoid type).
-
Unexplained swelling of the face and of the whole body, severe and severe weakness (edematous type).
Read also: Myths about cholesterol: top 7 most enduring misconceptions
The listed manifestations may raise the question: is it really necessary to call an ambulance every time with pain in the stomach or dizziness?
Not usually. Although a heart attack — an acute condition that develops without warning, it almost always occurs against the background of the following circumstances:
-
Diagnosed coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol
-
Obesity
-
Smoking, alcohol abuse
-
Long-term use of oral contraceptives or other hormonal drugs, estrogen antagonists
-
Diabetes
-
Climax
Of course, if a woman has chronic diseases of the digestive system, bloating or nausea is most likely associated with these diseases, and has nothing to do with the condition of the heart. But if these same symptoms appeared in a healthy person, and especially if they developed suddenly — urgently need to call a doctor.
It is important to know that in 70% of deaths from a heart attack, the situation is resolved tragically due to failure to provide first aid or due to a late visit to a doctor.
Therefore, do not doubt when dialing the number "103" — if a heart attack is suspected, no measures may be excessive.
But if if everything ended well, and your symptoms are not related to heart disease — get a complete examination by a cardiologist. It will help to determine if you are at risk, and based on the results of the examination, the doctor will give recommendations on how to reduce the likelihood of a heart attack in your case.
This will make your health stronger and your life calmer, because the constant fear of a heart attack or the expectation of a heart attack may well bring it closer.
Read also: 11 symptoms indicating severe heart problems
You might be interested in: Gymnastics for the office.
Add a comment