Heart attack symptoms in women are often more subtle than those in men, making them easier to overlook or confuse with other health issues. Unlike the stereotypical crushing chest pain associated with heart attacks, women’s heart attack symptoms can resemble the flu, heartburn or even an ulcer.

“It is critical that women understand what a heart attack can feel like for them, so they get immediate medical care,” said Li Zhou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program. “Any delay in seeking treatment can result in more damage to the heart muscle and can be life-threatening.”

Subtle signs: How heart attack symptoms in women differ

In general, heart attack symptoms in women may not include severe chest pain. Instead, women may experience:

• Unusual fatigue or exhaustion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain, indigestion or heartburn
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking into a cold sweat
• Pain in the jaw, neck or upper back
• Pressure or pain in the chest that may come and go

These symptoms can go unnoticed or can be mistaken for less serious conditions, such as anxiety, gastrointestinal issues or muscle pain.

Almost 1 in 3 heart attack patients experience no chest pain at all — and this is more common among women. This is sometimes called a silent heart attack.

When to seek help for heart attack symptoms

If you suspect you are having a heart attack, do not wait. Call 911 immediately or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room.

While waiting for emergency services:

• Take nitroglycerin if it’s been prescribed by your doctor.
• Take aspirin only if a medical professional has previously advised you to do so — as it may interact with other medications.

Key differences in heart attack symptoms: Women vs. men

There are notable differences in how heart attacks present in men and women. Men often report pain and numbness in the left arm or side of the chest. In contrast, women may feel pain on the right side, in the back or not in the chest at all.

In some cases, chest pain in women is caused by microvascular disease — a condition affecting the small arteries of the heart rather than a typical blockage. This condition often is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure or inherited heart disease.

Other conditions that can mimic heart attack symptoms in women

Several other health issues can resemble heart attack symptoms in women, including:

• Panic attacks: Often mistaken for heart attacks, panic attacks can cause chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and a feeling of dread. These episodes typically involve sharp, stabbing pain that lasts only a few seconds and is localized.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Symptoms like acid reflux can cause burning chest pain that mimics a heart attack.
• Muscle strain: Especially in the chest or back, muscle injury can cause pain during movement or deep breathing.
• Stroke: Weakness in the arms or an inability to raise both arms evenly could indicate a stroke rather than a heart attack.

Risk factors for heart attack in women

• Smoking is a greater risk factor for heart disease in women than it is in men. 
• Not being active is a major risk factor for heart disease.
• Emotional stress and depression may affect women’s hearts more than men’s. Experiencing these can make it difficult to be active or make healthy choices. 
• Diabetes increases your heart attack risk. Women with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease than are men with diabetes. Diabetes damages the blood vessels and can change the way people feel pain, so you may be at a higher risk for silent heart attack.
• Menopause causes drops in estrogen, which increase the risk of developing small vessel heart disease.
• Pregnancy complications, including high blood pressure (preeclampsia) or diabetes during pregnancy, can increase women’s long-term risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Family history of early heart disease may be a greater risk factor in women than in men.
• Other health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or inflammatory conditions, can increase the risk of heart attack. 

Heart attacks during and after pregnancy

Although rare, heart attacks during pregnancy or shortly afterward can occur. A common cause is spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a condition where a tear forms in a coronary artery, disrupting blood flow to the heart.

Awareness of heart attack symptoms in women

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 267,000 women die from heart attacks each year. Understanding heart attack symptoms in women — and how they may differ from men’s — can be lifesaving. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and seek immediate medical care.

The post Heart attack symptoms in women: What you need to know appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac-like structure around the heart. The fluid in the sac keeps the heart muscle lubricated and serves as a protective lining. Pericarditis is when an infection settles into that fluid in the sac.

“Pericarditis is relatively rare,” said Li Zhou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program. “For the most part it is short term, meaning if treated properly, it goes away; however, in some cases it can become recurring, which impacts about 28 people out of every 100,000.”

The most common symptoms of pericarditis is sharp chest pain that gets worse with breathing deeply, lying flat or coughing. Some patients also may experience a dull ache that spreads to the left shoulder or into their neck, mimicking the signs of a heart attack and sending them to the emergency room.

“Pericarditis accounts for about 5% of nonischemic ER visits for chest pain meaning they are having pain in their chest but when diagnosed it is not a heart attack,” Dr. Zhou said. “And in these cases, the patient did the right thing. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and going to the emergency department for unexplained chest pain is always the best thing to do.”

“Pericarditis typically doesn’t just develop on its own,” said Lauren R. Albers, M.D., women’s cardiovascular disease specialist with the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program. “Pericarditis can arise as a result of an acute illness, such as virus like the flu; after a flare-up of an autoimmune disease, such as lupus; or can come about as a result of taking certain medications, for example anti-seizure medications, some anticoagulants/blood thinners or hydralazine, a well-known blood pressure medication.”

Treatment plans can vary

The most common treatment includes high doses of anti-inflammatory medications, which are tapered over several weeks, along with colchicine, a heart medication that supports recovery.

“Abstaining from sports or robust exercise in the early stages of recovery is recommended,” Dr. Albers said. “Elevating the heart rate may exacerbate the inflammation and cause discomfort in the chest, as well as dangerous arrhythmias.”

Treatment can take several weeks, up to three  months, because if not treated fully there is a 30% risk of recurrence in the first 18 months after diagnosis. Once treatment begins and the pain subsides, most patients can return to normal activity, including moderate exercise, while monitoring how they feel.

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“If you have early warning signs of a heart attack, don’t dismiss it — it’s a chance for you to get care that could prevent a more devastating attack,” said Abdullahi O. Oseni, M.D., an interventional cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “When we can provide early heart attack care, it gives us a chance to treat the cause of your symptoms before  significant damage occurs.”

Early heart attack symptoms

Someone may experience few early heart attack symptoms or all of the following. When they start, these symptoms can be mild or come and go. Over days or weeks, early heart attack symptoms and pain increase until the person potentially collapses.

• Feeling of fullness
• Pain that travels down one or both arms
• Jaw pain
• Excessive fatigue
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Back pain
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort, pain, pressure, squeezing, aching or burning

RELATED:ASTEMI is one of the most dangerous forms of heart attack —here’s what you need to know

Heart attack in men versus women

Men may experience different heart attack symptoms from women. Why does it matter? Women are less likely to seek immediate medical care and are more likely to die from a heart attack.

• Men normally feel pain and numbness in the left arm or side of chest. In women, the pain and numbness may appear on the right side. 
• Women may feel completely exhausted, drained, dizzy or nauseous.
• Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into the jaw.
• Women may think stomach pain is the flu, heartburn or an ulcer.

How can you prevent a heart attack?

Up to 85% of heart damage can occur within the first two hours of a heart attack. Know these early heart attack symptoms and act on them immediately — before any damage occurs.

• Be alert for a heart attack in yourself or someone around you. Becoming an active bystander could save a life.
• When in doubt, call 911 about heart attack signs. First responders have the medical technology to quickly save a life. 

Heart attack risk factors

Several risk factors increase your chance of having a heart attack. Many are controllable by making changes to your lifestyle. Discuss your personal risk of a heart attack with your doctor, including:

• Chest pain, pressure, aching or tightness that may come and go
• A family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Overweight or obese
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Using tobacco products
• Metabolic disease, diabetes or other illness
• For women: using birth control pills, a history of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or having a baby with low birth weight

What happens in a heart attack

The heart’s job is to pump blood around the body. Like any muscle, the heart itself needs its own supply of oxygen-rich blood to do its job. The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle. When that blood flow is interrupted, robbing the heart of the oxygen and other nutrients it needs to do its job, the result is myocardial infarction — commonly known as a heart attack. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping.

Cholesterol buildup inside the blood vessels — a heart disease called arteriosclerosis — is a common cause of blockages that lead to heart attacks. Cholesterol buildup, or plaques, can break free from the blood vessel wall and lead to a blood clot that blocks the artery and ends up causing a heart attack or stroke.

When the heart muscle isn’t getting the oxygen it needs, the result can be the common symptom of chest pain and other symptoms. Heart attacks that start slowly can show an early warning sign, such as chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes. 

If you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, the American Heart Association advises seeking medical help right away. If you have heart attack warning signs, call 911 immediately.

EMTs typically can respond to you faster than you can get to an emergency room. They can begin treatment right away and are trained to resuscitate you if you go into cardiac arrest.

EMTs can alert heart attack response teams at the emergency room while taking you there.

The post 9 Early Signs of a Heart Attack appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Here are some more facts to consider:

• Heart disease (also known as cardiovascular disease) is a leading cause of pregnancy complications and pregnancy-related deaths in the United States.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 60 million women (44%) in the United States are living with some form of heart disease. 
• Congenital heart disease (which means you were born with it) is the most common heart disease affecting pregnancies in the United States.
• According to the Journal of the American Heart Association, heart failure is the most common major heart-related health issue arising in pregnancy and in the months after. 

“Many times, in pregnancy, women think their symptoms are normal,” said Li Zhou, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist and medical director of the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program. “Sometimes they are, but women’s heart conditions are often overlooked.”

When should I worry about shortness of breath during pregnancy?

Shortness of breath is very common during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. Doctors can’t always pinpoint a single cause, so this often is considered a symptom of the pregnancy itself. The symptoms can change over the course of the pregnancy and depend on many things, including your overall health.

First trimester

In the first trimester — Weeks 1 through 14 of pregnancy — you will begin to need more oxygen. Pregnant people sometimes breathe faster due to more hormones in the body, such as progesterone and estrogen. Progesterone is also a respiratory stimulant, meaning it causes a person’s breathing to speed up. While breathing faster does not necessarily cause shortness of breath, some people may notice changes in breathing patterns.

The diaphragm, a thick band of tissue that separates the heart and lungs from the stomach, can rise as much as 4 centimeters during the first trimester of pregnancy when the uterus begins to expand upward. The diaphragm helps the lungs fill with air. Some people don’t notice a change in breathing. Others notice they can’t take a full, deep breath.

Second trimester

Many pregnant people may experience noticeable shortness of breath in the second trimester, which lasts from Week 15 until about Week 28.

As the uterus expands with the baby’s growth, more pressure is put on the diaphragm and lungs. It’s not just the expanding uterus that can cause shortness of breath. The amount of blood in a person’s body increases significantly during pregnancy. This means the heart has to pump harder to move this blood through the body and to the placenta.

“The whole body is working harder, especially the heart,” Dr. Zhou said. “This can make you feel out of breath, even when you haven’t been active.”

Third trimester

“The third trimester is easier or harder, all depending on where baby is in the body,” Dr. Zhou said. The baby’s head may feel like it is pressing on your ribs or pushing into the diaphragm.

A few weeks before birth, the baby will begin to turn head down and drop into the pelvis, which can relieve some of the pressure on the diaphragm.

Other reasons for shortness of breath

If you feel out of breath during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider.

While pregnancy changes can cause some breathlessness, other medical conditions also can contribute to the problem. These include:

• Asthma: Pregnancy may make existing asthma symptoms worse. If you have asthma, talk to your doctor about safe treatments during pregnancy, such as inhalers or medications.
• Peripartum cardiomyopathy: This is a type of heart failure that can occur during late pregnancy or within a few months after giving birth. Symptoms include ankle swelling, low blood pressure and fatigue. Many people may assume their symptoms are just from pregnancy, but the condition can seriously affect a person’s health and often requires treatment.
• Pulmonary embolism: This happens when a blood clot gets stuck in an artery in the lungs. An embolism can dramatically affect breathing and cause coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath.

When to worry about shortness of breath during pregnancy

Be sure to visit your pregnancy care provider regularly during your pregnancy. They will take your blood pressure and pulse and make sure you are doing well. Ask any questions you have when you go to these appointments.

If your breathlessness gets worse quickly, doesn’t get better when you change positions (such as moving from sitting to lying on your side), or if you develop sharp pains, call your doctor. Call a health care provider or 911 immediately if you are short of breath and have pain, especially in the chest, or your heartbeat is racing.

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The draft recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel that makes evidence-based recommendations about ways to prevent disease, advises that all pregnant people, regardless of hypertension history, have their blood pressure measured throughout their pregnancy.

“It’s very important for women to have their blood pressure monitored, especially during pregnancy,” said Li Zhou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program. “Having hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, during pregnancy can cause a life-or-death situation for both mother and baby.”

Issues caused by high blood pressure, including preeclampsia, and eclampsia, are among the top causes of the rising maternal mortality rate in the United States. High blood pressure while pregnant also increases the risk of low birth weight and possibly can lead to preterm delivery.

In addition, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, and kidney injury. Over the long term, high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to a life time of hypertension and resulting in an increased risk of having cardiovascular diseases.

Hypertension that begins during pregnancy is defined as systolic pressure equal to or greater than 140 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or diastolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 90 mmHg.

“If a woman is planning to become pregnant and she has a history of hypertension, there are important measures that can be taken,” Dr. Zhou said. “Talking to her OB/GYN and even establishing a relationship with the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program can be very important to ensure a successful pregnancy.”

Norton Women’s Care OB/GYNs work closely with the Women’s Heart Program, Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine and other specialists, so patients benefit from multiple viewpoints and areas of expertise.

A hypertension disorder affects 1 out of every 7 deliveries in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Patients who are Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, as well as those who are older, are more at risk.

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A healthy blood pressure for women and men is below 120/80.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends women who are pregnant have their blood pressure checked at their prenatal visits, even if you don’t have a history of high blood pressure

“It’s very important to have a specialist treating you so you receive a medication that improves your blood pressure without interfering with the baby’s development,” said Li Zhou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program.

Checking for high blood pressure during every prenatal visit allows health care providers to intervene early to help prevent a bad outcome, according to Dr. Zhou.

Very high blood pressure can cause heart failure, heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. It also can put the baby’s life in danger.

High blood pressure also can cause preeclampsia, which stresses the heart and other organs and can lead to serious complications, such as impaired liver and kidney function and seizure. Preeclampsia also can affect the blood supply to the placenta or cause fluid to build up in your lungs.

If there are signs of organ damage in the mother, she may need to deliver the baby early, which can result in a preterm birth and a low birth weight, according to Dr. Zhou. Dr. Zhou and her colleagues at the Women’s Heart Program work closely with the complex pregnancy specialists, including those at Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine, part of Norton Women’s Care, through your pregnancy, labor and delivery.

READ MORE: When to worry about breathing issues during pregnancy — what to watch for and what it might mean

Blood pressure typically drops for the first two trimesters of pregnancy and then increases in the third trimester. For women who have high blood pressure before they become pregnant, they should discuss having their medications adjusted during pregnancy.

Women who have had a heart attack, were born with a heart defect or have another heart condition should see a doctor at the Women’s Heart Program before they become pregnant.

Disorders related to high blood pressure are rising in the United States. Moderate risks include being pregnant more than 10 years apart, being 35 or older, having a body mass index (BMI) over 30, family history of preeclampsia, and in vitro fertilization prior to pregnancy.

High risks are having preeclampsia in a prior pregnancy, being pregnant with more than one baby, or having diabetes, kidney disease, chronic high blood pressure or autoimmune diseases such as lupus. In addition, people who are Black, American Indian or Alaska Native are much more likely to have a disorder related to high blood pressure in pregnancy and to die from it.

The post What’s the normal blood pressure for a pregnant woman? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

With her fourth pregnancy, she knew she risked damaging her heart further but wanted to do all she could to carry the baby.

Alexis’ heart condition — advanced cardiomyopathy — was diagnosed just one year earlier, after the birth of her third child.

“At 25 years old I was struggling to do everyday things,” Alexis said. “I was short of breath. It was difficult to walk up stairs, and I struggled to carry my kids and play with them outside.”

Alexis started working with Kelly C. McCants, M.D., executive medical director of the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure & Recovery Program. Dr. McCants and Natalie K. Kendall, APRN, nurse practitioner with the Advanced Heart Failure & Recovery Program, started Alexis with intravenous infusions of medication. They would manage her symptoms for a time, but it became clear medication wouldn’t be a long-term solution.

Ready for an artificial heart pump, then a pregnancy is discovered

Dr. McCants, who is also executive director, Institute for Health Equity, a Part of Norton Healthcare, is board certified in cardiovascular disease, advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. He and the team recommended Alexis turn to an increasingly common long-term solution.

“We felt that she was going to require more for her heart, which would be an artificial heart pump,” said Kendall.

The pump, otherwise known as a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, would be surgically implanted into Alexis’ heart, taking over the work of the damaged left ventricle that was no longer pumping sufficient amounts of freshly oxygenated blood throughout her body.

On the day she was scheduled to get the LVAD, Alexis learned of her fourth pregnancy through pre-surgical testing. Alexis knew the risks this presented for herself as well as the baby. She was only about 10 weeks along in her fourth pregnancy and was faced with a very difficult decision.

READ MORE: When to worry about breathing issues during pregnancy — what to watch for and what it might mean

“I still wanted to have my baby,” she said. “When I told Dr. McCants and Natalie that I’d rather chance it and carry the baby to term, they were both supportive and ready to face the challenge with me.”

The team set up weekly appointments — some in person, some held via Norton Telehealth video visits. They managed her medications and monitored her heart rate, weight gain and blood pressure.

“We knew it was going to be a very big challenge to keep mom and baby healthy,” Natalie said. “Alexis’ situation was quite unique. There is little to no literature or research to reference such a case, which meant we were entering unknown territory.”

Nearly seven months after canceling her LVAD surgery, Alexis gave birth to a baby girl.

The baby’s birth weight was low, and she was admitted to the Norton Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“The baby was very healthy and required minimal NICU intervention,” Natalie said. “And Alexis did very well during the delivery and recovery. We were able to support her heart with medications to manage the stress of carrying the baby and delivery.”

With a 5-month at home, Alexis gets an LVAD

Five months after the baby was born, Alexis was able to reschedule her LVAD surgery through the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute’s Gill Affiliate Network. Today, she is on the mend and better able to get back to being a mom.

“I’m able to take care of my kids; I’m able to play with them. I’m able to walk up the stairs — but I notice that I have to go slower,” she said.

Though her symptoms have vastly improved, this isn’t the end of Alexis’ heart-healing journey.

“The LVAD is currently allowing Alexis to have improvements to symptoms and quality of life but the best long-term solution for a young female would be a heart transplant,”  Natalie said. “This is our ultimate goal for her.”

Alexis continues working with the Advanced Heart Failure & Recovery Program team to strengthen her heart and take the steps necessary to qualify for a transplant.

“They’re really great,” she said of the heart team. “They call. They check up on me. They make sure I get to the doctor.”

If she needs transportation, they find a way for her to get to the clinic. If she doesn’t have child care, they make accommodations for her children to come along on her office appointments. And if she has other health questions or concerns, they provide resources.

“I feel like if I had gone somewhere else, they wouldn’t have given me the care that Norton has provided,” she said.

Photos courtesy of Mary Helen Nunn for Today’s Woman magazine

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What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

“High blood pressure symptoms in women can be very subtle,” said Crystal D. Narcisse, M.D., internal medicine/pediatrics physician with Norton Community Medical Associates. “Those symptoms can mimic other conditions such as everyday stress and anxiety, or, if someone is a certain age, the signs of menopause.”

Signs of high blood pressure in women

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort

“Some patients have no symptoms at all, which is why it is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly,” Dr. Narcisse said. “You can get this done at places such as your health care provider’s office or a pharmacy kiosk.”

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Be sure you know what your blood pressure is. If you have any of the following risk factors, you could be more likely to develop high blood pressure and the complications that come with it:

• Previously elevated blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Family history of high blood pressure or heart disease

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What is blood pressure?

Two numbers make up your blood pressure reading: systolic blood pressure (the top number) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number).

Systolic blood pressure shows how much pressure your blood is pushing against the walls of your arteries during heartbeats. The diastolic reading shows how much pressure your blood is pushing against the walls of your arteries while the heart rests between beats.

Why does blood pressure matter?

Many refer to high blood pressure as the “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to several life-threatening conditions:

• Stroke: High blood pressure weakens arteries throughout the body, creating areas where they can become clogged or can burst, causing a stroke.
• Heart attack: The extra strain that blood pressure places on arteries in the heart leads to narrowing of arteries from plaque (made up of fat and cholesterol) that hardens over time and can cause a heart attack.
• Heart failure: High blood pressure makes your heart work harder. Over time, this extra workload can lead to an enlarged heart. The larger your heart becomes, the harder it is for your heart to meet your body’s need for oxygen and nutrients. This strain and decreased ability to meet the body’s need for oxygen and nutrients, can lead to heart failure.

What is a good blood pressure?

While there are “normal” ranges for blood pressure, each person is as unique as their reading.

“We know that a variety of factors can contribute to a variance in blood pressure numbers. What may be considered ‘normal’ or in a good range for one person may be high or elevated for another,” said Candace Combs, APRN. “One thing is for certain: We want to see most everyone’s blood pressure below 130/80. Anything over this figure, regardless of the reason, needs to be evaluated by a provider.”

To determine the blood pressure range that is best for you, be sure to speak to your primary care provider or cardiovascular specialist.

What the numbers mean

Knowing your blood pressure numbers can help you and your provider work together to keep you healthy.

Normal: Blood pressure is within the normal range. Continue working with your provider to stay within this range.

Elevated: When your readings are consistently in the elevated range, you are at risk for high blood pressure. If you’re in this range, you are likely to develop hypertension if steps are not taken to control it

Hypertension stage 1: In stage 1, your provider likely will prescribe lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, following a healthy heart diet, getting more exercise, losing weight, and more, based on your health history. Your provider may also prescribe a blood pressure medication based on your individual risk for heart disease and stroke.

Hypertension stage 2: In this stage, your provider likely will prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes.

Hypertensive crisis: If your blood pressure readings are suddenly higher than 180/120 mmHg, wait five minutes and then test again. If your reading is still high, call your doctor.

If you have any of these signs of hypertensive emergency and your blood pressure is in the crisis range, call 911:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Back pain
• Numbness/weakness
• Vision changes
• Difficulty speaking

When blood pressure is in the hypertensive crisis range, it can have severe outcomes:

• Stroke
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss
• Heart attack
• Eye and kidney damage
• Loss of kidney function
• A tear in the aorta (aortic dissection)
• Chest pain (angina)
• Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Seizures during pregnancy (eclampsia)

The post What is a good blood pressure number? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

It can be difficult to know the difference between angina and other causes of chest pain. Other than heart disease, stomach and esophagus issues, lung issues and muscular pains are potential causes of chest pain. If you aren’t sure, always seek medical attention — emergency rooms in the Louisville area are fully staffed and supplied with personal protective equipment. Special protocols are in place to make patients, staff and the community safer and limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Some heart attacks are intense and very quick, while others start slowly with mild pain or aches.

“Tightness and pressure in the chest are common symptoms of angina,” said Mostafa O. El-Refai, M.D., M.S., MBA, interventional cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “But chest pain in women, and others, also may be accompanied by feeling out of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or a sharper pain in the chest. Sometimes the sign of an underlying heart issue is difficulty breathing without any pain at all.”

These additional symptoms can mislead patients into dismissing their chest pain as part of something else.

“Your body speaks to you — if you have any new symptoms you should have them evaluated either by your primary care provider or an appropriate specialist,” Dr. El-Refai said.

Why chest pain in women is different

While angina can be caused by a blocked coronary artery, chest pain in women can be the result of coronary microvascular disease — a condition in the smaller arteries that branch from coronary arteries. Coronary microvascular disease tends to strike younger women who show no blockages in the larger arteries during a cardiac catheterization.

The pain is caused by damage to the inner walls of these smaller blood vessels, which decreases blood flow to the heart. In addition to being linked to gender, microvascular disease also affects men and women with diabetes, high blood pressure or inherited cardiomyopathy.

The risk factors for microvascular disease may overlap with the links to heart disease from a buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Having one or more of these risk factors increases your risk of heart attack or a form of heart disease:

• Diabetes
• Family history
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Sleep disorders
• Smoking
• Unhealthy cholesterol
• Unmanaged stress

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