Women more often show other heart attack symptoms, doctor says

Women statistically experience some heart attack symptoms more often than men, a doctor told ORF at a women’s health event in Hohenems on Thursday.

Chest pain is the main symptom for about four in five people of all genders, said Awa Naghipour, a doctor and research associate at the University of Bielefeld’s working group on gender-sensitive medicine. Other symptoms, including upper abdominal pain, jaw or shoulder pain, nausea, vomiting, sudden severe tiredness and dizziness, occur statistically more often in women.

Naghipour said it would be too simplistic to speak of separate “men’s” and “women’s” heart attacks.

Vorarlberg health councillor Martina Rüscher (ÖVP) said more women should work in research, medicine and other health professions to help keep gender-sensitive medicine in focus.