The British Heart Foundation have discovered women are 50% more likely than men to be given incorrect diagnosis following a heart attack.
It’s often considered heart attacks are more common in unhealthy, overweight, middle-aged men however, in a recent study by Leeds University, it found that women who were diagnosed with the more serious type of heart attack had a 59% great chance of misdiagnosis compared with men.
“A heart attack in women can present itself differently, perhaps as pain in the back between the shoulders. Or a patient may have an episode of nausea and vomiting without chest pain.” Professor Peter Collins
Symptoms of a heart attack differ between people however, there are warning signs you can look out for that can help towards early diagnosis including:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain radiating to the arms, neck, jaw, stomach and back
- Feeling of indigestion
- Feeling sick, sweaty, breathless or lightheaded
- Feeling unwell or lethargic, when accompanied by chest pain or discomfort.
68,000 women per year in the UK go to hospital following a heart attack so make sure you regularly visit your GB for a health check and find a range of advice from the British Heart Foundation here.
