Heart attack symptoms in women often differ from men’s. A study in *Circulation* found that many women reported **fatigue, sleep issues, and anxiety**—not chest pain—before a heart attack. Nearly **80% noticed symptoms for over a month** before the event. Still, only **65% said they’d call 911** if they suspected a heart attack.
**Common symptoms include**:
* **Unusual fatigue**: “Profound and unexplained fatigue” can be an early sign.
* **Sleep disturbances**: Insomnia or frequent waking may signal trouble.
* **Anxiety**: Some feel “a sense of impending doom” or unexplained unease.
* **Lightheadedness, shortness of breath, indigestion**, and **cold sweats** are also common.
* **Pain** may appear in the **jaw, neck, back, shoulders**, or **stomach**, not just the chest. Chest pressure may feel like “squeezing, fullness, or burning.”
After **menopause**, women face greater risk due to lower estrogen levels. Sadly, women are also **less likely to survive** a heart attack than men.
**Silent heart attacks**—without obvious symptoms—affect up to **200,000 Americans yearly**, often going unnoticed. Subtle signs include **mild chest or jaw discomfort, fatigue, and breathlessness**.
