Despite the strides made in healthcare over the past century, there is an unfortunate trend where women’s health concerns are oftentimes overlooked or misunderstood. This includes heart attacks which, while often associated with men, can be serious and life-threatening for women of various ages and lifestyles. Symptoms of heart attacks in women can differ from symptoms typically seen in men, and may present with subtler or atypical symptoms. Unfortunately, these symptoms may be dismissed or attributed to other less serious conditions, which can lead to serious consequences.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack that was misdiagnosed as another condition, you may be able to recover financial compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The Michigan misdiagnosis attorneys at Lipton Law are here to help women seek justice for their delayed, incorrect, or missed medical diagnoses. Call (248) 557-1688 to schedule a free consultation with a medical malpractice attorney on our team.
What to Know About Women and Heart Attacks
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a form of heart disease that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, resulting in damage to the heart muscle.
Commonly known symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, and pain or discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, or back, but these symptoms are primarily associated with male patients. Women’s heart attack symptoms may differ from men’s, and women often present subtler or atypical symptoms like nausea, back pain, or extreme fatigue.
If a heart attack is misdiagnosed, female patients may experience delayed treatment, increased risk of complications, and potential long-term damage to the heart muscle. These can then lead to poorer health outcomes and a decreased quality of life.
Do Women Have Heart Attacks?
Yes, women can and do have heart attacks. While heart disease is often associated with men, it is a major health concern for women as well, with over 44% of women in the U.S. living with a form of heart disease. However, women may experience heart attack symptoms differently than men, which can lead to under-recognition and misdiagnosis.
A woman can have a heart attack even if they live a healthy lifestyle, eat a heart-healthy diet, and have no known history of heart disease, which is why it’s important to learn and recognize how heart attacks present in women.
Types of Heart Attacks
There are a few different types of heart attacks that both women and men can experience, each having its own distinct characteristics. Below are some of the most common types of heart attacks people can experience.
STEMI Heart Attack
A STEMI (an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) heart attack is a severe type of heart attack caused by a complete blockage of one of the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart, which pumps it throughout the body. When one of these arteries becomes completely blocked, it can cause part of the heart to fail, which can lead to permanent heart damage or even death.
The “ST segment” is a portion of heart activity that is measured on an electrocardiogram, or EKG. An EKG displays heart activity on a monitor, with spikes and curves indicating the heart’s electrical activity. When the ST segment is elevated, this could indicate a STEMI heart attack.
NSTEMI Heart Attack
An NSTEMI (a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) heart attack occurs when there is a partial blockage of one of the coronary arteries, leading to decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. While less severe than STEMI heart attacks, they are still incredibly dangerous and can have serious adverse health effects. Additionally, they are harder to identify through EKG readings, due to the lack of ST-segment elevation.
Silent Heart Attack
A silent heart attack, also known as an asymptomatic heart attack, occurs when a person experiences a heart attack without the typical symptoms associated with a traditional heart attack. Despite the lack of noticeable symptoms, silent heart attacks can still cause significant damage to the heart muscle and increase the risk of future cardiovascular events.
Thousands of Women Have Had This Type of Heart Attack
While we’ve already discussed the primary types of heart attacks women suffer from, there’s another cardiovascular event that women often experience: spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). SCAD is often mistaken for a heart attack, and it can even lead to a heart attack, if untreated. Additionally, SCAD primarily affects women who don’t have cardiovascular disease risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes, making it hard to diagnose.
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition where a tear forms in one of the coronary arteries, disrupting blood flow to the heart muscle. SCAD often affects women in their 40s and 50s, particularly those who are otherwise healthy or have few traditional risk factors for heart disease.
SCAD can lead to significant damage to the heart muscle and impair its ability to function properly, which can lead to severe complications like heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest. Early recognition and prompt medical intervention are essential for managing SCAD and reducing the risk of complications.
Symptoms of SCAD can vary widely but may include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and fatigue. Because SCAD can be difficult to diagnose and may not present with typical risk factors, it’s important for healthcare providers to consider this possibility, especially in younger women experiencing heart-related symptoms.
Can a Woman Have a Heart Attack and Not Know It?
Yes, a woman can have a heart attack and not know it. Heart attacks like silent heart attacks can lead a woman to experience unrecognized symptoms, making it difficult for them to even realize they’re having a heart attack. Women should learn the warning signs and subtle symptoms associated with heart attacks so they can seek medical attention if they suspect a heart attack.
Can an EKG Miss a Heart Attack?
Yes, an EKG can sometimes miss a heart attack, especially if the heart attack is minor or if the EKG is performed at a time when the heart is not actively experiencing symptoms. Additionally, certain types of heart attacks, such as those involving the smaller vessels of the heart or those occurring in areas not easily detected by the EKG, may not be accurately captured.
Signs of Heart Disease in Women
Heart disease and heart attacks affect both men and women, and are a leading cause of death for both. However, women often experience more atypical symptoms than men, which can prevent women from receiving proper medical attention for things like heart attacks and heart failure. Below are some of the different signs of heart disease women may experience.
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
Heart attack symptoms can vary from patient to patient, making them hard to identify, especially in women. Women may experience a variety of symptoms during a heart attack, including:
- Chest pain or chest discomfort (although this may be less common in women compared to men)
- Pain or discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or throat
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Fatigue
- Indigestion or stomach pain
- Unusual or unexplained fatigue
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms
While chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom in men, not all women who experience heart attacks experience chest pain. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, seek medical attention, even if you don’t experience chest pain or tightening.
Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms in Females
Women can experience symptoms leading up to a heart attack that may indicate underlying heart disease or increased risk. Pre-heart attack symptoms in women may include:
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- Shortness of breath, even with mild exertion
- Persistent or sudden onset of nausea or vomiting
- Indigestion or stomach discomfort
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Jaw pain or discomfort, especially on the lower left side
- Pain or discomfort in the back, neck, shoulders, or arms
- Unexplained sweating
- Feeling of anxiety or unease
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
It’s important to note that these symptoms can be subtle and may not always be recognized as warning signs of an impending heart attack. Therefore, any new or unusual symptoms should be promptly evaluated by a healthcare professional, especially if there are risk factors for heart disease present.
Female Heart Attack Heart Rate
One symptom of SCAD in women is increased heart rate or heart palpitations. While this may not indicate a heart attack, it could be a precursor to a serious cardiac event. It’s important to monitor your heart rate and seek medical attention for any persistent or unexplained changes you experience. This can help identify potential cardiac concerns and prevent the onset of a heart attack.
Left Collarbone Pain Heart Attack
Another preemptive heart attack symptom is pain or discomfort in the left collarbone. This discomfort may occur due to referred pain from the heart or as a result of the heart’s proximity to the left side of the chest.
While left collarbone pain alone may not always indicate a heart attack, it should be taken seriously, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, like shortness of breath or fatigue. Other types of upper body pain women may experience before a heart attack include jaw pain, shoulder pain, or pain in one or both arms.
What Can Be Mistaken for a Heart Attack in Women?
There are a number of different conditions that can be mistaken for a heart attack, especially in female patients. Some of these include:
- Heartburn
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Costochondritis
- Strained muscle
It’s important for patients to receive correct and timely medical diagnoses, but when doctors fail to diagnose a condition properly, it can cause the patient to suffer serious adverse consequences. If you or a loved one has had a heart attack or other similar condition misdiagnosed, you may be able to sue for medical misdiagnosis.
Silent Heart Attacks
Silent heart attacks can cause women to experience very subtle symptoms, which may go completely unrecognized and undiagnosed. However, those experiencing a silent heart attack who go to the emergency room may be misdiagnosed with another condition, like:
- Heartburn
- Influenza
- Strained muscle
- An anxiety attack
If you are misdiagnosed with the wrong condition, and later discover that you’ve suffered from a heart attack, you may be able to sue your healthcare provider for damages. A Michigan medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your case and help you evaluate your legal options.
How Does a Woman Know She’s Having a Heart Attack?
While it can be difficult for women to identify heart attack symptoms, a woman may suspect that they’re having a heart attack if they have a family history of heart disease and experience symptoms like chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, elevated heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or arms.
Call a Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Attorney with Lipton Law Today
When facing the aftermath of a heart attack, the last thing anyone wants to contemplate is the possibility of a misdiagnosis. Yet, for far too many individuals, particularly women, this is an unfortunate reality. If you or a loved one has experienced a heart attack misdiagnosis, you understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll it can take. At Lipton Law, we believe in fighting for justice and holding negligent healthcare providers accountable for their actions.
Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to advocating for those who have suffered due to incorrect medical diagnoses. Whether you were incorrectly diagnosed, experienced delayed treatment, or were dismissed when seeking medical help, we are here to stand by your side every step of the way. Contact us at (248) 557-1688 or reach out to us via our website to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team.