Symptoms of a Heart Attack

If you were having a heart attack, would you know it?

Most of us think of chest pain as the main symptom of heart attack. But for women, a heart attack doesn't always come with chest pain. In fact, it can be easy to miss heart attack symptoms in women because symptoms can be strikingly different in women than in men.

Common symptoms of heart attack in women

• Shortness of breath
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Discomfort in other areas, including pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, between the shoulder blades, neck, jaw or stomach
• Women may also present with atypical or unusual symptoms and should pay attention to the new onset of:   
• fatigue
• sleep disturbances 
• palpitations   
• nausea   
• light-headedness   
• flu-like symptoms including chills and cold sweats 
• Chest discomfort (angina) pain, tightness, or pressure in the center of the chest that may come on with exertion or rest and generally lasts several minutes

If you think you may be having a heart attack, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room. UVA's Emergency Department is certified as a Chest Pain Center with a five-bed unit dedicated to emergency cardiovascular conditions.