2 / 8
possibility in anyone presenting in the
ER with chest pain or not feeling well.”
In Sarah’s case, even though
her high blood pressure was under
control, her cholesterol readings were
good, and she wasn’t overweight or
diabetic, she still had a heart attack.
“She didn’t fit any of the
traditional risk factors that would
suggest she could have a heart
attack,” he adds. “Sometimes it just
happens that way. That’s why it is
so important to pay attention to
your body and if you even
suspect it could be a
heart attack, call 911.”
CARDIAC
REHAB
Vega attended the
My Heart’s Content
class, which is an
introduction to the
Cardiac Rehab Program
at ValleyCare. A week following
her heart attack, she was already
enrolled and participating in Cardiac
Rehab. “It’s very reassuring being
monitored while you’re exercising,” she
says. “The staff are so thoughtful and
really help you understand not only
the importance of exercise (and diet),
but also how much you can exercise
and how to build up to it.”
Jed Thompson, exercise
physiologist in ValleyCare’s Cardiac
Rehab, reports that this past year
they have seen five young women
who had heart attacks and ended
up in Cardiac Rehab. “Most of them
were in good shape, raising families
and working,” he says. “With the usual
stress and go-go lifestyles today, some
of them had fatigue as their only
symptom and couldn’t believe they
actually had a heart attack.”
SYMPTOMS DIFFERENT
INWOMEN
Studies show that
heart attack
symptoms in men
are pretty typical
(pain/pressure in
chest, sweating,
sharp pain in
arm/neck/back,
dizziness). If your dad or
grandfather said “it feels like
an elephant is sitting on my chest,”
chances are you would quickly dial
911 and tell the operator “we think it’s
a heart attack.”
However, if your mom or sister
said, “I’m totally exhausted and
feel queasy,” most likely you would
suggest she take a nap and possibly
an antacid. While women can
experience similar symptoms to
those men experience, most women’s
heart attack symptoms typically are
much more subtle and can mimic
other conditions as well.
Making it even more difficult,
according to a survey by the
American Heart Association, is that
many women are reluctant to call for
emergency medical help even when
they think they might be having a
heart attack.
“This is unfortunate because it
is vital to get immediate help,” adds
Dr. Ng. “Every minute saved could
mean heart muscle that is spared
from damage.” Treatment for heart
attack is most effective the sooner it
begins.
Call 911 right away if you suspect,
even a little bit, that you or a loved
one might be having a heart attack.
Paramedics can begin life saving and
heart-muscle saving interventions
while en route to the hospital.
Heart Attack Symptoms
For both men and
women, common signs
are:
pain, pressure,
squeezing
discomfort in chest
cold sweats
fatigue for no reason
sudden dizziness or
light-headedness
sharp pain in one or
both arms, back,
neck or jaw
shortness of breath
for no reason
nausea or vomiting
These last three
(in bold) are more
common for women.
Women are twice as
likely to vomit or be
nauseated during heart
attack. In addition, they
may also:
have pain or pressure
in lower chest, stomach
or upper abdomen
feel really tired
experience sudden
dizziness
More than half the
women having a heart
attack report muscle
weakness that’s not
related to exercising.
For some, extreme
breathlessness (also
without exertion) is
the only sign they’re
having a heart
attack. Call 911 if you
experience any of
these symptoms.
—Continued from page 1
HEART ATTACK IN YOUNG WOMEN
At age 39, Sarah didn’t realize she
was having a heart attack.
If you or a
loved one have
experienced a heart
attack, ask your doctor for
a referral to ValleyCare’s
renowned Cardiac Rehab
Program. For more
information visit
valleycare.com
or
call
925-373-8094
.
2
www.valleycare.com| Winter 2015