Cardiologist warns women’s heart attack symptoms are often different from men’s, shares subtle signs to watch out for

By Admin

19 Aug, 2025

Heart health has long been discussed with a focus on “classic” signs of heart attacks like severe chest pain radiating to the left arm. However, cardiologists caution that this is not the whole story, especially for women. Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, MD (cardiology), recently highlighted on Instagram that women often experience heart attacks in ways that look very different from men’s, and the warning signs can be subtle.

Women’s heart symptoms are often different

Dr. Yaranov stressed that heart attacks in women often don’t look like heart attacks at all. Over his years of practice, he has seen countless women with symptoms they never suspected were heart-related. These include nausea, back or jaw pain, sudden fatigue, shortness of breath, and even stomach discomfort.

“[Heart attack] symptoms [in women] can be subtle, making it easy to think it’s ‘just stress’ or something minor. But every time I think, ‘That can’t be a heart attack,’ I get proven wrong,” he said.

This means that women should not wait for the “classic” crushing chest pain before seeking help. Listening to the body and acting quickly could be life-saving.

Subtle heart attack symptoms to watch for

In his recent post, Dr. Yaranov shared a patient’s story: a woman who experienced symptoms for nearly two weeks before her heart attack. Her signs included extreme fatigue, right shoulder pain, stomach pain, back pain, and headaches. Only on the day of the actual heart attack did she experience jaw pain and tingling in her left arm.

Dr. Yaranov explained that women’s symptoms may include:

• Extreme fatigue – sudden exhaustion, even without strenuous activity
  
  

• Shortness of breath – difficulty breathing while resting
  
  

• Unexpected pain – in the back, jaw, shoulder, neck, or stomach
  
  

• Lightheadedness or nausea – feeling faint, dizzy, or queasy
  
  

These symptoms are often dismissed as stress, indigestion, or overexertion, but ignoring them can be dangerous.

Why awareness matters

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide, yet awareness about their unique symptoms is still limited. Dr. Yaranov urged women to trust their instincts:

“Don’t wait until it’s an emergency trust your body. Early recognition is key, and advocating for better heart health awareness for women can save lives.”

Takeaway

If something feels off whether it’s unusual fatigue, unexplained pain, or persistent shortness of breath it’s better to be cautious. Seek medical attention rather than dismissing symptoms as “just stress.”

Recognising the subtle signs of a heart attack could make all the difference, not only for you but also for the women in your life.