You’ve probably heard the phrase “am I having a heart attack female?” but do you really know what it means? A heart attack is one of the most common causes of death in the world, and only about twenty-four percent of those who suffer from a heart attack survive. This statistic is largely due to lifestyle choices and lack of exercise. The American Heart Association offers a free quiz to help women determine whether or not they are having a heart attack.
Women and men usually experience different symptoms of heart attack, but they often share similar symptoms. Women may feel light-headed, feel faint, or be short of breath, but they’re often less likely to seek medical attention than men do. Even if women do experience symptoms of a heart attack, they may not seek medical attention as quickly as men do. The main goal of quick treatment is to restore blood flow to the heart muscle and limit damage to the heart.
Once the blood flow to the heart muscle has been blocked, the affected area dies and cannot regenerate. Plaque, a mix of fat and cholesterol, blocks blood flow to the heart. When a heart muscle dies, it can never return, but the rest of the heart may be able to compensate for it. If the symptoms are persistent, it’s important to visit a doctor. It’s important to remember that it takes at least a few minutes for a heart attack to develop into a full-blown heart attack.
