Up until recent years, heart attacks were generally considered something that only men suffer. An American woman suffers a heart attack every minute, and more women die within a month of suffering a heart attack than men. Why? Because heart attacks are less common in women than men, women fail to notice the symptoms, try to avoid calling 911, and even if they make it to the Emergency Room, some doctors don't immediately consider a heart attack as a possibility.
Symptoms of a heart attack in women can be different than in men. We've all seen the over-dramatization of a heart attack where a men grabs his chest and crumbles to the ground; some women don't even feel that chest pressure. According to the American Heart Association, there are certain signs a woman should look for if she thinks she may be having a heart attack:
- Shortness of breath
- Pressure, squeezing, or pain in the middle of the chest. It may last more than a few minutes, or it might go away and come back.
- Nausea, lightheadedness, or breaking out in a cold sweat
- Pain in the jaw, neck, stomach, or arms
If you are a woman suffering from any of these symptoms, it is important that you don't try to be a hero and wait it out. Your life could depend on it. Wouldn't you rather get to the ER to discover it was nothing, rather than try to ride it out at home and have a fatal heart attack?
If you suffered a heart attack, but your doctor failed to diagnose or treat you properly, this may be a case of cardiology malpractice. Girards Law is a cardiology malpractice law firm that serves victims in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Call today for a free consultation at 888-897-2762.