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Now that you know the most common signs of heart attack in women, in addition to chest pain, you can learn more. Be ready to help someone else in an emergency with these steps.
The myth of the “Hollywood heart attack” is the heart attack you see in movies:
Don't believe everything you see on TV. In reality, heart attacks can have many different symptoms. But during a heart attack, the heart keeps beating. Usually people having a heart attack have a pulse and are awake or conscious.
Women who are having a heart attack may have chest pain or pressure, but they may also have other symptoms. Talk to the person and ask them what other symptoms they’re having, how long they’ve had them, and what they think might be happening. If they have chest pain like they’ve never had before, or they have several heart attack symptoms, the best thing to do is call 911. Trained medical professionals can best help someone who might be having a heart attack.
A heart attack is not the same as cardiac arrest. In a heart attack, the heart keeps beating. In cardiac arrest the heart stops beating, the person does not have a pulse, and they are usually unconscious (not awake). Call 911 if you think anyone near you is having a heart attack (the person is awake and has chest pain or other heart attack symptoms) or cardiac arrest (the person is not awake and has no pulse or heartbeat).
For cardiac arrest, call 911 and begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) right away. The American Heart Association says that with "hands only" CPR, anyone can give lifesaving treatment to someone having cardiac arrest. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest and keep going until emergency personnel arrive. Do not give CPR for a heart attack.
Learn more about AEDs and how they are used. Visit the American Heart Association website (link is external) to find CPR and AED training courses near you.
Whether you’re 45 or 85, you are at risk of a medical emergency. An advance directive or living will can help your loved ones know your wishes if you cannot speak for yourself because you are unconscious, sedated, or in a coma.
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All material contained on these pages are free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
Page last updated: January 30, 2019.
A federal government website managed by the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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