http://www.care2.com/greenliving/heartburn-or-heart-attack.html
Heartburn or Heart Attack?
By Stephanie Trelogan, Caring.com senior editor
Women, especially those under the age of 55, may miss or ignore heart attack warning signs. In a study presented last month at an American Heart Association’s Scientific forum, researchers interviewed 30 women who’d suffered heart attacks at a young age (average age 48). Most of the women didn’t realize they were having heart attacks, attributing their symptoms instead to indigestion, fatigue, or stress.
Why are young women less likely to recognize a heart attack? Here are some of the reasons given by the women in this study:
- They thought they were too young to have a heart attack.
- They had atypical symptoms, such as jaw or neck pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, or fatigue.
- They were afraid their doctors would dismiss their concerns.
In her book From the Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease, Kathy Kastan tells a very similar story. At the age of 41, Kastan didn’t think the symptoms she experienced when exercising could possibly be due to heart disease. She’d been having shortness of breath and intermittent pain along her left arm and back for months before she saw a cardiologist. After several misdiagnoses, she underwent bypass surgery — a full year after her symptoms first began.
Kastan’s story really brings home the need for women to be vigilant for signs of heart disease, the number one killer of American women.
What are the heart attack symptoms that are more likely to occur in women?
1. Nausea or feelings of “indigestion”
2. Discomfort or pain in the shoulder, neck, or jaw
3. Dizziness, weakness, clamminess, lightheadedness, or fatigue
4. A sense of impending doom
You might want to print out this list and post it on your refrigerator. I’m turning 40 this year, and while I’m pretty sure my heartburn is just that, I’ll be seeing my doctor next week just to make sure.
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7 comments
add your comment »I have such dramatic cases of being so dizzy I could not stand up, so my doctors sent me for testa that including wearing aan event montior. The monitor proved I had no heart trouble and I am relieved but we still have to find out why I am so dizzy so often. If I don't I could fall and break a hip at my age.
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Susan you are funny
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That's very nice for you 40 year olds, but menopause and old age creeping up clouds many of the symptoms you describe.
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In my town, we have a huge medical center, Enloe. You are lucky if they treat you at all (when and if they get to you).
The symptoms of a heart attack are like that of an intense hot flash. How can I determine the difference? Guess its if I go to the ER at Enloe and I last long enough for them to get to me, it was only a hot flash ;)
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To determine If it's just heartburn, a small amount of baking soda and water will help it go away immediately....also raw milk.
P.S. Susan B.'s comment is hilarious!
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In reference to your 'Heartburn or Heart Attack', you might want to include Gallbladder Attack. Ten years ago I was rushed to the emergency room twice. They could not find anything until the second episode and the doctor did a ultrasound and saw gallstones. They were treating me as if I had had a heartattact in the emergency room.
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What does a sense of impending doom feel like? Is it the same feeling I get when my step children are going to visit?
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