What are the Common Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms in Women?
What are the Common Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms in Women?
- What are the signs of heart attack in women?
- For a woman early warning signs of a heart attack could be different than that of men
- What is the ApoB Test?
- When should I take the ApoB test?
- What genetic components of heart attack are inherited?
- How do these genetically inherited conditions progress or manifest?
- Will genetic testing help understand this risk of genetically inherited conditions?
Introduction
Sex-specific tests are now a major consideration for assessing heart attack risk in men and women. For example, certain threshold values in a few diagnostic tests are now different for men and women. The average size of the heart and blood vessels are different in men and women. Similarly, cholesterol buildup occurs differently in men and women. This makes it necessary to identify heart attack signs and symptoms in women accordingly. Here is useful information about how to identify these symptoms in women.
What are the signs of heart attack in women?
Heart attack symptoms are mostly the same for women and men, for instance, chest pain, pressure and short term discomfort. However, in women, chest pain is not as severe and the type of pain is best explained as some kind of pressure or tight feeling. Women may also not necessarily have chest pain to as a symptom during a heart attack.
Commonly experienced heart attack signs and symptoms in women include the following:
- Discomfort or unease in the neck, jaw, shoulder.
- Pain or discomfort in the upper back or abdomen.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Pain in either arm; this could sometimes be experienced in both arms.
- Feelings of nausea.
- Urge to vomit.
- Profuse sweating.
- Lightheaded feeling.
- Overall tiredness.
- Indigestion due to heartburn.
The above symptoms are mainly be because women end up with blockages in the small arteries or blood vessels apart from the main arteries. This condition is medically known as small vessel heart disease or coronary microvascular disease. Some of the heart attack signs and symptoms in women are often experienced during rest. Due to the changes in the symptoms, women often do not get diagnosed on time.
For a woman early warning signs of a heart attack could be different than that of men
There are distinct differences between men and women – in various organs, and in the cardiovascular system. Women have smaller hearts with blood vessels that are narrow when compared with men. As a result of this, the manner in which heart disease progresses, is different among men and women. One of the reasons for heart attack is build-up of cholesterol plaque on the walls of arteries that damage major blood vessels. In men, this plaque buildup happens in the bigger arteries. However, in women, this buildup happens in smaller blood vessels.
What is the ApoB Test?
In addition to understanding the different heart attack signs and symptoms in women, it is also important to know more about certain tests. This will help detect certain conditions on time. The ApoB Test refers to the Apolipoprotein B protein that is partly responsible for lipid metabolism, including low-density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein. The test calculates the amount of this protein in the blood. This helps to understand about the inherent risk of developing heart disease in the particular person. The test offers a clear cardiovascular risk assessment, as high levels indicate a potential to buildup of plaque in the arteries.
When should I take the ApoB test?
- If you have a family history of certain conditions, the test is recommended. For instance, a family history of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes puts you at risk.
- If you have high lipid levels.
- If you have been diagnosed with some heart disease.
What genetic components of heart attack are inherited?
One among the many reasons for heart attack is the genetic component. In such eventualities, some genetic factors are inherited and this increases your risk of heart attack. An understanding of these conditions will also help to be on the look-out for heart attack signs and symptoms in women. The following is a list of possible genetically inherited conditions.
- Familial hypercholesterolemia – This is a genetic disorder arising from high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This increases the risk of heart attack and is caused by certain genetic mutations – LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9.
- Lipoprotein(a) – Higher levels of lipoprotein(a) is an identified risk factor of heart disease. This is due to a genetic component or genetic variant of the LPA gene.
- Polygenic risk scores – A combination of different genetic variants can put you at risk of heart attack.
- Apolipoprotein – As outlined earlier, genetic variants – APOE, APOA5, and APOC3 – can affect lipid metabolism. This can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Genes that are linked to inflammation – Certain genes are linked to inflammation, and this affects your body’s inflammatory response. For example, genes like IL6 and CRP impact inflammatory response.
- Genes that impact blood pressure – Certain genetic variants linked to blood pressure regulation, can put you at risk of hypertension and heart attack. For instance, AGT, ACE, NOS3 may add to your risk of hypertension.
- Thrombosis – There are genes related to blood clotting, and this can contribute to heart attack risk. For instance, changes in the F5 and F2 genes could put you at risk of thrombosis.
How do these genetically inherited conditions progress or manifest?
There are certain patterns in which these genetically inherited conditions manifest. Here is a quick look at some patterns.
- Monogenic – This refers to specific genetic conditions, wherein a single copy of the gene that is changed can put you at increased risk.
- Polygenic inheritance – This refers to heart attack due to multiple genetic variants. In such conditions, the different genetic mutations add to the overall risk.
- Family history – If a member of your family has had some heart disease in the past, it could mean that you are at risk. In such circumstances, it would help to be aware of heart attack signs and symptoms in women.
Will genetic testing help understand this risk of genetically inherited conditions?
Yes, genetic testing can help unearth your risk of heart attack due to any inherited conditions. The tests, that are presently available in Tamil Nadu can identify specific mutations or genetic variants linked with heart attacks.
Medically Reviewed by
Dr.Rajasekar Cardiologist
Dr. Rajasekar is a cardiologist in Chennai, with extensive experience in the field. He completed his MBBS from Madurai Kamaraj University, followed by an MD in General Medicine and a DM in Cardiology from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (TNMGRMU).
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