WebMD Feature
It’s dramatic when someone has a heart attack on television or in the movies. But in real life, symptoms can be more subtle and difficult to identify. And because heart attack and angina symptoms are so similar, it may be hard to tell what's going on.
But knowing the differences -- and the reasons behind them -- can result in seeking treatment sooner, and living longer.
Heart Attacks Hit Middle-Aged Women
"I never thought it could happen to me." That's how Rose Rench reacted when doctors told her she was having a heart attack. At age 46, Rench was bewildered when she suddenly couldn't catch her breath while out for a walk on a sunny spring day. "I was young, I was 130 pounds, and I'd quit smoking a month before. I was healthy. But I couldn't breathe." Rench tells WebMD that she somehow drove herself home, but couldn't rest; her mind raced as she tried to gasp for breath. "I thought maybe I...
Heart Attack Symptoms
About 715,000 Americans have a heart attack every year, according to the CDC. This happens when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked or restricted, often by a clot in an artery. Deprived of oxygen, at worst the heart muscle dies; at best it’s damaged.
A 2008 study in the American Journal of Critical Care found chest pain was the most frequently reported heart attack symptom, and 61 percent of 256 participants said their symptoms were constant.
Chest pain is reported in various ways, including:
- Discomfort
- Pressure
- Tightness
- Burning
- Fullness
- Squeezing
“If you’ve not experienced it before, patients often aren’t sure what it is when it first comes on,” says Kristin Newby, MD, a cardiologist at the Duke Heart Center in Durham, NC.
Not All Symptoms the Same
The same study found women were about 8 years older than men when they developed heart trouble and were more likely to report a higher intensity of 5 other symptoms:
- Indigestion
- Palpitations
- Nausea
- Numbness in the hands
- Unusual and overwhelming fatigue
The study found 21 percent of women and 10 percent of men experienced no symptoms at all. Less typical symptoms for both genders can include discomfort in the neck, arms, jaw, back, or stomach; shortness of breath; dizziness; or a cold sweat.
“Men and women may respond differently to the symptoms of a heart attack, particularly if the symptoms are vague. But if you have symptoms consistent with a heart attack, don’t wait at home. Go to the hospital,” says Alfred Sacchetti, MD, an emergency room physician and an American College of Emergency Physicians spokesman.
Recognizing Angina
Angina is your body's warning sign that something isn't right with your heart. Angina is temporary chest pain or pressure that happens when arteries that supply blood and oxygen to your heart become narrowed or blocked. That means your heart is getting less blood than your body needs to function properly. Angina is often triggered by strong emotion, physical exertion, hot and cold temperature extremes, or a heavy meal.
Symptoms can include:
- Chest pressure or pain
- Squeezing in the chest
- A sense of fullness in the center of the chest
- Pain or discomfort in the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw
Two Types
There are two types of angina:
Stable angina: Your narrowed arteries cause pain, pressure, and other symptoms when you exert yourself. This may occur at regular times, and symptoms usually go away after you rest. If you're under a doctor's care, you may take nitroglycerin to ease the symptoms.
source : Recognizing Heart Attack and Angina
