Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are a group of heart and blood vessel disorders. They are the main cause of death globally, being the cause of an estimated 17.9 million deaths in 2016, and representing 31% of all global deaths. 85% of these were due to heart attacks and strokes.
Strokes and heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarctions, are acute events usually caused by a blockage that decreases blood flow to the brain and heart, respectively. The most common reason for this is a build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels.
Early Signs of Heart Attacks
As in all illnesses, early detection can considerably increase the probability of surviving a heart attack, as the amount of damage to the heart muscle is significantly reduced.
Common early signs that may lead up to the event of a myocardial infarction are shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, and chest pain that is often described as a sudden heart-clutching pain. This is most commonly located at the centre of the chest and lasts more than a few minutes, or comes and goes, usually starting slowly with mild pain or discomfort.
Signs & Symptoms in Men
Symptoms exhibited by men include breaking out in a cold sweat, sudden chest pain, nausea, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Discomfort in the upper limb, mainly in the left arm is also present.
Signs & Symptoms in Women
Women can experience any of the symptoms exhibited by men but there are some specific symptoms that are characteristic to women. These include shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, unexplained fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, indigestion and gassiness, and the sense of impending doom.
Experiencing menopause increases the risk of a heart attack drastically as it is known to cause vasculitis or thinning of blood vessels. It is therefore recommended that women going through this period contact their cardiologist to take the necessary steps to prevent cardiovascular disease and hence the risk of heart attacks.
The difference in symptoms between gender
While a male and female’s heart is anatomically very similar, there are actually physiological differences that affect the symptoms when a heart attack arises. These differences make heart attacks harder to diagnose, especially in women.
Endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and pregnancy-related hypertension all increase the risk of having a heart attack. Research suggests that women with endometriosis are up to 3 times more likely to have a heart attack, experience chest pain, or need treatment for blocked arteries due to the chronic inflammation that accompanies endometriosis, also inflaming the arteries.
Suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and depression is common in both genders. However, according to the American Heart Association, a female suffering from these conditions has a greater risk for heart attacks.
Women tend to suffer from heart attacks later on in life than men. Experts believe that women’s exposure to oestrogen through most of their reproductive life provides some extra protection against heart attacks. With this being said, younger females are having more heart attacks. The reason behind this is unknown, but experts speculate that teenagers are less healthy nowadays.
Heart attack symptoms develop rapidly in males. The plaque suddenly ruptures or breaks apart, and the body’s response to this is to form a protective blood clot that can block the artery, resulting in a heart attack. This is when men are more likely to experience crushing chest pain and heaviness. It was found that this is the reason behind 75% of all heart attacks in males but only 55% in females.
Plaque erosions are more common in females; bits of plaque wear away, and smaller blood clots form in response. This takes place over a longer period of time which is why the symptoms usually come on gradually.
Reducing Heart Attack Risk
While there are certainly ways to reduce the chances of a myocardial infarction, our biological makeup plays a role in determining the risk of a heart attack. Therefore, the most important line of defence against a heart attack is awareness of the different signs and symptoms.
It is also a known fact that awareness regarding symptoms of heart attacks is lower in women than in men, and that women are less likely to seek medical attention if they experience early symptoms. Therefore, over the years the lack of awareness in women and their reluctance to seek help has reduced their chances of surviving a heart attack.
What to do if someone is having a heart attack
If you or someone around you is showing any signs or symptoms of a heart attack, call 112 immediately. The emergency medical staff will then begin treatment upon arrival.
If unsure whether you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, check it out! Minutes matter and fast action can save lives.
Written by: Gail Bonnici and Stella Sammut