Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Women’s Heart Attacks Underdiagnosed

If you search for the classic symptoms of a heart attack you will find: pressure or pain in the chest shooting down the left arm. References also mention a feeling of discomfort radiating to the back, jaw or throat. About 70 percent of men experience these symptoms. Women, on the other hand, are less likely to suffer chest pain and consequently are less likely to be diagnosed with a heart attack.
According to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, roughly four women out of 10 had no chest pain with their heart attack. Women under 55 were especially likely to have atypical symptoms and were 20 percent more likely to die of their heart attack than men. This might be because their heart attack was not correctly diagnosed and treated promptly. Women may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, heartburn and exhaustion instead of chest pain. This study should encourage women to take such symptoms seriously and seek emergency treatment promptly if they occur.

[Journal of the American Medical Association, February 22/29, 2012]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.