Heart attack in women less likely to be recognized!

Why heart attacks in women are more often overlooked

It is an alarming phenomenon occurring not only in the Netherlands, but also worldwide: heart attacks in women are more often not recognized and the consequences can be life-threatening. Research conducted by the AMC shows that 74% of men who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital are resuscitated by bystanders, compared to only 69% of women. Similar studies in the United States show that 45% of men receive help from passersby, while only 39% of women receive the same help.

Reluctance to resuscitate women

Passersby may be reluctant because they are not sure how to resuscitate a woman or are afraid of injuring her. This reluctance to perform CPR on women can ultimately be fatal. This emphasizes the need for better education on how to properly perform CPR on a woman.

Different symptoms of heart attack in women

A heart attack often manifests itself differently in women than in men. Whereas men may experience typical symptoms such as chest pain and radiation to other parts of the body, the signs in women are sometimes more subtle and therefore more difficult to recognize. In fact, women report symptoms in addition to those experienced by men:

- Pain in the upper abdomen

- An oppressive feeling between the shoulder blades

- Neck or jaw pain

- Unexplained nausea or vomiting

- Sudden shortness of breath

- Overwhelming fatigue

Recognizing CPR on time: every second counts

It is crucial that civilian responders know how to act quickly and effectively in the event of a heart attack, regardless of the victim's gender. If you yourself experience unexplained sudden symptoms as described above, or notice them in someone else, call 911 right away. They will think with you and see if it is indeed a heart attack. By proactively sounding the alarm, you will hopefully get there sooner, saving precious minutes that could be vital.

Learn CPR yourself

Do you still not know how to resuscitate someone? Or do you have an AED at work, at the club or in your apartment building, and would you like to learn how to use it? Then request a CPR & AED course on location. Our CPR course is designed to give you the skills needed to respond effectively in emergency situations. Give yourself and others around you the knowledge and confidence to intervene when every second counts.

Video

Want to know more about how the heart works and how it can go wrong? But especially what the differences are now between men and women and how those hearts can break differently. Then watch this video from the University of the Netherlands.