A heart attack must be treated quickly (stock image) (Image: Getty)
When a person suffers a heart attack, swift action is absolutely critical. The condition occurs when blood flow to the heart becomes blocked, and without prompt treatment, it can prove fatal. Now, one A&E doctor has shed light on why heart attacks frequently present differently in men and women — and why cases in women are often dismissed as something far less serious.
Dr Ahmed, who boasts 585,000 followers on TikTok, regularly shares vital healthcare guidance with his followers. He recently posted a video outlining why heart attack symptoms tend to differ between men and women, and how this can have potentially-fatal consequences.
“For a man, a heart attack is like a shot to the chest,” he said. “For a woman, a heart attack is like death by a thousand cuts.”
Delving into the mechanics of how heart attacks occur, he continued: “We (men) get blocks in our arteries that are made up of platelets, fat, cholesterol, and calcium, and they break off in big chunks, go downhill, block a major artery, and you have a big heart attack.
“For a woman though, it’s a bit different. You see, women’s arteries are a bit more flexible, their structure is a bit more different, and they have oestrogen, which is supposed to be cardio-protective.
“Their plaques are made up of fats, cholesterol, platelets, [and] a little less calcium than men’s. And also they don’t break off in big chunks, they break off in micro-erosions constantly, which go down and block very small arteries, arterials, capillaries, that kind of thing.
“Damage builds up over time. A woman might not even know about it until a certain point because the other arteries around it can cope with it, until one day the damage has accumulated enough that she goes like ‘oh doctor, I’m having chest pain’.”
He explained that at this stage, some doctors may perform an ECG, or electrocardiogram — a test that measures the heart’s rate and rhythm — and dismiss the patient’s concerns as something such as anxiety, when in reality it could be something far more serious, reports the Mirror.
In conclusion, Dr Ahmed stated that men and women should be treated with a “little bit of a different mindset”, adding: “It can save lives.”
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
The NHS says symptoms of a heart attack may include:
- Chest pain which may feel like crushing or squeezing on your chest. This pain may also spread to your arm, neck and jaw
- Feeling short of breath
- Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- Feeling like you have indigestion. You may have a burning feeling in your chest and feel full or bloated
- Sweating
- Skin turning pale, blue, or grey. On black and brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands
What should you do if you or someone else is suffering a heart attack?
Should you or anyone around you experience any of the above symptoms, including gasping for air, choking, or an inability to speak, or has lost consciousness, dial 999 immediately, according to the NHS. The organisation advises that you should not drive yourself to A&E, but instead follow the guidance provided by the 999 operator.
Call NHS 111 if you or someone else is:
- Suddenly more short of breath than usual
- Has chest pain along with nausea or vomiting
- Has chest pain along with a feeling of the heart racing, going to slowly, skipping a beat, or fluttering
While awaiting an ambulance, the person experiencing a heart attack should sit on the floor with their knees bent and their back supported. Taking 300mg of aspirin may also help, though this should not be administered if the patient is allergic to the medication. If the patient has angina, they should use their glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray.
