Women health


chest pain that comes and goes

Both men and women might experience chest pain or discomfort as a sign of a heart attack. Anyone who feels discomfort in their chest for more than a few minutes or who has it repeatedly should seek immediate medical attention.

In certain circumstances, pain or discomfort may be brought on by other factors, such as heartburn, reflux, a problem with the lungs, or another heart-related disease. Even though there are less dangerous reasons of chest discomfort, a woman should still seek medical attention right away because this symptom could mean a serious medical emergency.

In this post, we go over other potential causes of chest pain and more knowledge on the typical female heart attack signs and symptoms.

female heart attack signs and symptoms

If a person notices signs of a heart attack, they should get emergency medical help.

Heart disease is responsible for 1 in 4 male deaths and 1 in 5 female deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Heart attack is one of many disorders, including others, that this organ is affected by.

The indicators of a heart attack differ between men and women.

Compared to men, women are less likely to experience intense chest pressure. They are more likely to feel lightheaded, exhausted, or nauseous instead. Instead than only the left arm, they could also experience pain in both arms.

When any of these symptoms occur in a woman, she should immediately phone 911 or get emergency medical attention.

The following list of signs and symptoms of heart attacks in women is provided by the American Heart Association (AHA):

  1. chest discomfort or stiffness
  2. breathing difficulty
  3. nausea, dizziness, or chilly perspiration
  4. One or both arms, the neck, the stomach, the jaw, or the back may be uncomfortable, numb, or painful.
  5. a tightening, discomfort, pressure, or feeling of fullness in the middle of the chest

The chest pain has a tendency to continue for several minutes or to cease and start again.

Other cause for chest pain

There are numerous additional potential causes of female chest pain.

Several causes may still necessitate medical treatment even though they are not all as serious as a heart attack.

heart-related diseases

The following heart-related conditions can result in chest pain:

  1. Heart muscle infection known as myocarditis
  2. Angina, which is discomfort brought on by inadequate blood flow to the heart
  3. Cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the heart muscle.
  4. Inflammatory of the sac around the heart is known as pericarditis.
  5. A uncommon condition known as aortic dissection, in which the aorta is torn,

problems with the digestive system

Chest pain can occasionally be brought on by gastrointestinal issues and diseases. These may consist of:

  1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn (GERD)
  2. pancreatic or gallbladder inflammation
  3. gallstones

lung-related problems

Other lung-related potential causes of chest discomfort include the following:

  1. bronchitis
  2. lung collapsed
  3. pneumonia
  4. blood clot known as pulmonary embolism
  5. bronchospasm

bone or muscle disorders

Other times, problems with the bones or muscles can cause a woman to feel pain in her chest.

Pain and swelling may be brought on by a broken or bruised rib, chronic pain syndrome, or excessive muscle use. Chest pain may also be brought on by a broken or damaged rib.

When a nerve is compressed by a compression fracture, discomfort may result.

when to visit the doctor

Everyone who experiences inexplicable chest pain should visit a doctor, who will perform tests to identify the underlying reason and make suitable recommendations for therapies.

Diagnosis

A doctor would typically ask the patient a number of questions regarding their personal and family medical histories. Inquiries concerning additional symptoms and current drugs are also common.

By having this knowledge, the doctor can rule out certain potential causes.

The doctor may also do one or more tests to identify the source of the pain. These examinations may involve:

X-ray of the chest: The doctor can examine the heart, lungs, and blood vessels using an X-ray.

a blood test: These examinations evaluate blood enzyme levels.

An MRI: Any damage to the heart or aorta can be seen during this scan.

the angiography:This examination is used by doctors to look for blockages in particular arteries.

 an electrocardiogramEKG: The electrical activity of the heart is captured by this test.

a stress test:These are used by doctors to assess cardiac performance following exercise.

a cardiac echoogram: Sound waves are used in an echocardiogram to capture moving pictures of the heart.

Options for treatment

Depending on their diagnosis and the outcomes of the tests, a doctor may recommend one of many treatment options. The urgency and scope of the treatment will frequently depend on the underlying cause of the pain.

The doctor may advise a combination of the following therapies if the chest pain is caused by heart-related problems:

  1. artery blockages are opened using a procedure called cardiac catheterization.
  2. drugs that thin the blood, dissolve clots, or open closed arteries
  3. artery repair surgery

A doctor may suggest one or more of the following therapies when the reason of the chest pain is unrelated to the heart:

  1. Antacids or acid-reducing medications can lessen acid reflux and heartburn.
  2. lung inflation after collapse
  3. drug to reduce anxiety

Overview

Women should be cautious if they suffer any additional heart attack symptoms or experience sudden or inexplicable chest discomfort.

Any chest pain should be discussed with a doctor because treatment can frequently reduce the pain and treat the underlying reason.

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