A silent heart attack in a woman is characterized by the development of a heart attack, but without the presence of classic symptoms, such as the presence of a very tight chest pain that appears in the region of the heart but radiates to the arm, maxilla or stomach.
That way, many women may be having a heart attack but confuse it only with a less serious problem, such as a flu or even a poor digestion.
Thus, whenever a woman has a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart attack in the family, and a heart attack is suspected, it is advisable to go to the emergency room immediately. In addition, women at increased risk of myocardial infarction should also make at least one consultation at the cardiogologist per year to perform a cardiac health checkup.
Check out 12 signs that may indicate a heart problem.
Symptoms of infarction in women
The main symptom of infarction is chest pain, however, this symptom is not always present in women. In these, the infarct may manifest itself through other milder symptoms:
- Numbness and general malaise;
- Excessive tiredness with no apparent cause;
- Feeling of shortness of breath;
- Discomfort in the throat, as if there was something stuck in this region;
- Pain or discomfort in the chin;
- Irregular heartbeat.
These symptoms can arise without any physical effort or emotional trauma, which can begin when the woman is at rest and quiet. In addition, they can arise together or separate, and can often be confused by the woman for simpler situations, such as a coming influenza or a digestion problem, for example.
Here are the most classic symptoms of infarction, which can occur in both men and women.
What to do in case of heart attack
What should be done during a possible heart attack situation is to calm the woman and call the SAMU immediately, calling the number 192, because, even producing mild symptoms, the infarction in the woman is also very serious and can kill in less than 5 minutes. In addition, one should:
- Keep calm;
- Loosen the clothes;
- Sit back on the couch, chair, or bed.
If the infarction leads to fainting, it is important to have a heart massage until the ambulance arrives, as this attitude may end up saving the person's life. Learn how to do a heart massage by watching this video:
In addition, if the woman has already had a heart attack before, the cardiologist may have recommended the ingestion of 2 Aspirin tablets in case of a suspected infarction, which should be given to the woman, in order to facilitate the passage of blood to the heart. See how the treatment is done here.
Who has a higher risk of having a heart attack
The risk of having a female heart attack is much higher in women who have a sedentary lifestyle or excessive consumption of foods high in fat or sugar.
Also, staying constantly under stress and taking the birth control pill can also increase the risk of having a heart attack.
Enter your data and know if you have high or low risk of developing cardiovascular diseases:
Thus, all women with any of these risk factors should at least make one consultation at the cardiologist per year, especially after menopause. To prevent possible complications, see myths and truths about infarction in women.