Heart attack symptoms in women can be subtle or silent. Learn how they differ from men’s and when to seek lifesaving care.

Published: May 23, 2025

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is when blood flow to part of the heart is drastically reduced or stopped. This can happen when the arteries are narrowed from conditions such as coronary artery disease. According to the American Heart Association, a heart attack happens every 40 seconds in the United States. 

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.