Women less likely to call 999 for heart attack signs

Published on Tuesday 8 September 2009 22:26

WOMEN having a heart attack may put off dialling 999 because they are not experiencing "classic" symptoms, a charity warned yesterday.

A poll for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) found 33 per cent would expect to have a severe or crushing chest pain, which is actually more likely to affect men.

Women experience "unusual symptoms" more often than men, such as a dull pain, ache or heavy feeling in the chest, a mild discomfort in the chest accompanied by a general unwell feeling, or a chest pain that spreads to the back or stomach. They are also more likely to have pain that feels like bad indigestion or to feel light-headed or dizzy. Women need to be aware of all these symptoms, the BHF said.

Dr Mike Knapton, BHF associate medical director, said: "Every second counts. Calling 999 at the very first sign means you are much more likely to survive.

"Heart attack symptoms do affect people differently so it is vital that women – and men – familiarise themselves with them and use today's date to help them remember that by calling 999 they are giving themselves the best survival chance."