10 ways that heart attack symptoms differ for men and women

Chest pain intensity Men often experience classic crushing chest pain, while women may feel milder pressure or discomfort. This subtlety can delay recognition and treatment in women, increasing the risk of severe complications.

Radiation of pain Men usually feel pain radiating to the left arm or shoulder. Women, however, more often report pain spreading to the neck, jaw, back, or upper stomach.

Shortness of breath Both sexes experience breathlessness, but in women, it may appear without chest pain. This symptom alone often misleads diagnosis, especially when mistaken for anxiety or respiratory issues.

Nausea and vomiting Men rarely show digestive signs during heart attacks. Women, however, frequently experience nausea, vomiting, or indigestion-like discomfort, causing confusion with gastrointestinal problems instead of cardiac emergencies.

Fatigue levels Extreme, unexplained fatigue is a common heart attack sign in women, sometimes appearing days before the event. Men usually report sudden weakness only during the attack itself.

Sweating patterns Men often have heavy and cold sweats during heart attacks. Women may show milder, clammy perspiration, sometimes overlooked as stress or hormonal changes, reducing urgency in seeking medical help.

Anxiety and dizziness Women are more likely to feel lightheaded, anxious, or faint before or during a heart attack. Men typically present with clearer physical pain symptoms rather than emotional or neurological ones.

Onset timing Men often experience a sudden and dramatic onset of symptoms. In contrast, women may show gradual, less intense warning signs that build over hours or even days, delaying timely medical response.

Age factor Heart attacks in men generally occur earlier, often in their 50s. Women tend to experience them later, frequently post-menopause, when estrogen’s protective effects on heart health decline significantly.

Misdiagnosis risks Because women’s symptoms often mimic flu, indigestion, or stress, they face higher rates of misdiagnosis compared to men, who typically present with textbook chest pain and classic cardiac signs.

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