Experts have issued a warning that many women could be missing a vital sign, leaving them more likely to die of a heart attack. According to data, around 77 women in the UK die every day from this medical emergency. As reported by NottinghamshireLive , most people experience symptoms such as chest pain during a heart attack.
However, feelings of heartburn, anxiety and “funny turns” are also very common. Since these symptoms seem fairly harmless, women often don't seek the medical help they need. And now experts have highlighted indigestion as a lesser-known symptom of a heart attack, saying it could indicate the condition.
A study, published in the journal Circulation , revealed that indigestion was a common symptom experienced by women in the month leading up to their heart attack. About 39 percent of the women in the study reported feeling uncomfortable before their heart attack, but indigestion was not common during the heart attack itself. Indigestion can be pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen (dyspepsia) or burning pain behind the breastbone (heartburn), says the NHS.
The aim of the study was to accurately describe the symptoms of coronary heart disease in women, and to develop a deeper understanding of the warning signs. Researchers stated: "The current description of 'typical' cardiac symptoms is based primarily on the experience of white, middle-aged men." Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newslet.
