Heart Attacks in Men & Women: What Are the Different Signs and Risks?

Q: What are common heart attack symptoms?

Chest discomfort, Shortness of breath, Cold sweats, Extreme fatigue, Discomfort in the upper body

Q: How can you reduce your heart attack risk?

Quit smoking: Smoking significantly damages blood vessels and elevates blood pressure. If you are a smoker, quitting is one of the most impactful things you can do for your heart. Stay active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, swimming or biking, most days of the week. Regular physical activity can improve circulation, lower cholesterol and reduce stress. Adopt a heart-healthy diet: Incorporate lean proteins, whole grains, fresh vegetables, and heart-healthy fats into your meals. Avoid foods high in trans fats, sodium, or added sugars, as these can contribute to heart disease. Monitor weight and cholesterol: Excess weight places additional strain on the heart. Work with your healthcare provider to maintain a healthy body weight and control cholesterol levels. Practice stress management: Chronic stress can play a significant role in heart attacks, especially in women. Incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga or mindfulness into your daily routine. Reduce alcohol intake: Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two for men, as overindulgence is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and woman in the United States. From cold sweats and extreme fatigue to neck and back pain, heart attack symptoms can present differently in men and women. Recognizing how heart attack symptoms vary between men and woman is important to addressing heart health.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, happens when blood flow to the heart is partially or completely blocked. This blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching vital areas of the heart muscle, leading to damage or, in severe cases, death of the muscle tissue. While heart disease underlies most heart attacks, factors like smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes significantly increase the risk.

What are common heart attack symptoms?

General heart attack symptoms include:

Chest discomfort
Shortness of breath
Cold sweats
Extreme fatigue
Discomfort in the upper body

However, the way symptoms manifest between men and women can differ significantly. Paying attention to these subtle differences could mean the difference between life and death.

What are the signs of a heart attack in men?

On average, men experience heart attacks earlier in life than women do. The average age for a first-time heart attack in men is 64, while for women the average age for a first-time event is 72. Men often experience what we traditionally associate with heart attacks, such as chest pain. This can feel like pressure, squeezing or fullness in the chest area. Other symptoms include:

Shortness of breath
Pain in the arms or shoulders
Sudden weakness or numbness, particularly in your arms and legs

What are risk factors that increase the likelihood of a heart attack in men?

Some of the key risk factors that increase the chance of a heart attack in men include:

Smoking
Obesity
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
A family history of cardiovascular issues

Approximately half of men who suffer sudden coronary deaths exhibit no prior symptoms, underscoring the importance of regular check-ups with a cardiologist.

What are the signs of a heart attack in women?

Roughly one in 6 women over the age of 20 have coronary heart disease, and two-thirds of women who die suddenly from coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. These are just a few of the reasons why it is important to understand the different ways that heart attacks manifest themselves between the genders. Women’s heart attack symptoms can be less obvious, which sometimes delays diagnosis and treatment. Women may experience:

Nausea
Vomiting
Pain radiating in the neck, jaw or throat
Discomfort in the upper abdomen or back

These symptoms often strike during times of rest or light activity, which might make them harder to connect to a heart event.

What are common causes of heart attacks in women?

For women, several factors elevate the risk of a heart attack, such as:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Unmanaged stress
Inactivity
Hormonal shifts, such as those caused by menopause, also affect women’s heart health by reducing protective HDL cholesterol levels
Family history is another factor, as genetics can heighten susceptibility to heart disease

How can you reduce your heart attack risk?

The encouraging news is that heart attacks can often be prevented by managing controllable risk factors. Research shows that up to 80% of heart attacks may be avoidable with lifestyle modifications. Here are the key steps to focus on for better heart health:

Quit smoking: Smoking significantly damages blood vessels and elevates blood pressure. If you are a smoker, quitting is one of the most impactful things you can do for your heart.
Stay active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, swimming or biking, most days of the week. Regular physical activity can improve circulation, lower cholesterol and reduce stress.
Adopt a heart-healthy diet: Incorporate lean proteins, whole grains, fresh vegetables, and heart-healthy fats into your meals. Avoid foods high in trans fats, sodium, or added sugars, as these can contribute to heart disease.
Monitor weight and cholesterol: Excess weight places additional strain on the heart. Work with your healthcare provider to maintain a healthy body weight and control cholesterol levels.
Practice stress management: Chronic stress can play a significant role in heart attacks, especially in women. Incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga or mindfulness into your daily routine.
Reduce alcohol intake: Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two for men, as overindulgence is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.