Heart attacks are often associated with older men, but they are increasingly occurring in women, according to the latest research. Although women often experience typical signs of a heart attack like chest pain and shortness of breath, the symptoms do vary between men and women. One woman took to Twitter to share her experiences of heart attack symptoms to spread awareness among other women.
gwheezie@geewheezie
I want to warn women our heart attacks feel different. Last Sunday I had a heart attack. I had a 95% block in my left anterior descending artery. I’m alive because I called 911. I never had chest pain. It wasn’t what you read in pamphlets. I had it off & on for weeks.
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The pain ran across my upper back, shoulder blades & equally down both arms. It felt like burning & aching. I actually thought it was a muscle strain. It wasn’t until I broke into drenching sweat & started vomiting that I called 911. She described herself as an "older woman", and spoke about how she originally thought her symptoms were just muscle strain from helping her neighbour clear out her barn. She added: I almost died because I didn’t call it chest pain. Other women shared their stories in response:
gwheezie@geewheezie
I want to warn women our heart attacks feel different. Last Sunday I had a heart attack. I had a 95% block in my left anterior descending artery. I’m alive because I called 911. I never had chest pain. It wasn’t what you read in pamphlets. I had it off & on for weeks.
Jennifer Laidlaw@JenLaidlaw12
This also happened to my mother a year ago and she also went to the ER thinking it was really bad HEARTBURN. Thank goodness she decided to stop worrying about complaining! Keep sharing your stories, it will save lives.
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Laura Wright@pocoecofem
Replying to @geewheezie
Thanks for this, but as a woman who had a massive heart attack at 43, I can attest that sometime's women's heart attacks feel very much like men's. Mine did. I had the crushing chest pain, nausea, arm pain. Mine was a SCAD. I'm glad you're ok. https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20180319/scad-heart-attack-strikes-young-women …
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SCAD: The Heart Attack That Strikes Young Women
Although SCAD causes a small percentage of heart attacks overall, it’s responsible for 40% of heart attacks in women under the age of 50.webmd.com
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Replying to @geewheezie @letat_lechat
I had mine last December, had signs for a year, arms would feel weak during exercise. After exer class, my left arm felt sort of numb, just weird. I was cold & sleepy for 2 hrs. Had what felt like chills from the centre of chest to left shoulder. Went to ER. 3 80% blockages, 1 50%.
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Doctors also commented on the importance of recognising the different heart attack symptoms men and women can experience.
Dr Carly Goldstein@sciCarly
Replying to @geewheezie
I’m so glad to hear you’re ok, and you’re right that heart attacks might not present like in the movies or what we hear from friends. Rest up, and PLEASE GO TO OUTPATIENT CARDIAC REHAB for 12 weeks! It’s the next step in rehabilitating your heart and preventing a future attack 
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gwheezie@geewheezie
I want to warn women our heart attacks feel different. Last Sunday I had a heart attack. I had a 95% block in my left anterior descending artery. I’m alive because I called 911. I never had chest pain. It wasn’t what you read in pamphlets. I had it off & on for weeks.
Afshine Emrani MD FACC@afshineemrani
Let's keep this going and raise awareness for the women we love. As a cardiologist, I so appreciate this.
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