Women experience atypical heart attack symptoms beyond chest pain

Women suffering a heart attack often present symptoms that differ from the classic chest pressure or pain described by men. They may feel a subtle, uncomfortable pressure, tightness or fullness in the chest, and the pain can radiate to the upper back, neck, jaw, teeth, arms or shoulders. Dr. Sharonne Hayes explains that this “radiating” pain occurs because the heart has fewer nerve endings than peripheral body parts, allowing discomfort to be felt in distant areas.

Other common signs in women include nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath that can appear suddenly even at rest, cold sweat, dizziness, unexplained fatigue, and indigestion‑like discomfort. Because these manifestations can be mild or occur without chest pain, women are urged to seek emergency medical help promptly when any of these symptoms arise.