A Woman’s Heart, Anxiety vs. Heart Attack
There is no doubt that women today are under more stress than ever. One of the “gifts” left to us by the women’s liberation movement is that we not only get to fry-the-bacon-up-in-a-pan at night, but we are also frequently out there in the workforce bringing-home-the-bacon as well.
Add to that the demands of children, homework, soccer practice, PTA, church and other civic activities, our cup truly RUNS over! Super Girl has nothing on us! It’s no wonder that heart disease is the number one killer of women. Sisters, we have STRESS in our lives!
Just how bad our stress level really is was recently brought home in a very real way to me. One of my best girlfriends just had the “pleasure” of a one-night stay at the local heart “hotel” (hospital). This definitely wasn’t her destination when she left for work that morning. She’s a single-parent of two small preschool children. She’s a widow and has no backup at home. (Are we getting the stress level picture yet?) In addition, she works for a company that’s been laying off workers for months and outsourcing jobs overseas. She’s been working 70-80 hour work weeks for months in an effort to ensure her job stays in the good old USA. (Bingo! Stress level gets a 120%!)
As she recalls it, her chest began pounding and hurting unbearably. She was short of breath and couldn’t breathe - sick to her stomach, sweating, dizzy and lightheaded. The pain radiated down her left arm. She tried to ignore it for a while but as the day progressed, the symptoms only increased in intensity. Finally, she phoned the nurse on call with her insurance company who promptly sent her straight to the hospital for evaluation.
Fortunately, this hospital visit had a happy ending. She was diagnosed with a panic or anxiety attack. Some of the symptoms of a panic attack are similar to those of a heart attack. Panic attack symptoms include: chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, hyperventilation (very rapid breathing), and dizziness/faintness. In addition, a panic attack may also be accompanied by a sense of fear or impending disaster.
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Add a Comment16 Comments
Mary,
I'm so glad your girlfriend was okay. It sounds like her day was truly frightening. I had a panic attack on a very turbulent international flight a few years ago, and it lasted for a few hours because the turbulence just would not stop. When you are in the midst of such anxiety, it can be paralyzing to the point of not knowing what to do. Your friend probably thought about calling the doctor earlier, but felt she just couldn't "afford" the time due to all her responsibilities. Had she been having a true heart attack, that delay might have cost her dearly.
So I want to echo your words: When in doubt, seek treatment. A doctor will never tell you that you are stupid or overreacting. In fact, they will most likely praise you for taking action.
September 17, 2009 - 9:00amThis Comment
Panic attacks can be very frightening and "real." I have only had one once and when I finally called the doctor, his response was to go straight to the emergency room. He told me that most doctors never fooled around with seeking treatment immediate treatment when chest pain or suspected heart problem is involved. It's one scenario where they assume the worst (ie. heart attack) because assuming the worst may save a life. If I could rewrite the article, I would probably just say to call or see the doctor regardless because you don't know and as you said, a delay could cost you dearly.
September 23, 2009 - 2:48pmOftentimes panic attacks lead to chronic hyperverventilation which is quite a debilitating condition where one feels as though they one cannot get a proper breath (along with tingling fingers, dizziness, brain 'fog' etc). The symptoms are present a lot, not just in an acute situation like with a panic attack. Women need to know about this as it often strikes in our 20s or 30s, it is related to stress and it is frequently misdiagnosed. There is information on the Web about it and at http://www.breathingwise.com/
Brenda
September 17, 2009 - 3:43pmThe symptoms of a heart attack are pretty specific. A tightening of the chest that progressively gets worse. Like bricks on your chest. A numbing or paralysing of the left arm. Nausea and vomiting are also common. A panic attack is more general as far as symptoms go. It basically is an "all over tingling" or feeling like you are just going to pass out. It almost feels like your brain is telling you you are in danger and to run or feel fear. Heart attacks statistically are uncommon in 18 year old, while panic attacks are way more common. Obviously if these occurrences continue medical attention is needed. Even for anxiety attacks.
November 21, 2009 - 12:16amit lasted for a few hours because the turbulence just would not stop. When you are in the midst of such anxiety, it can be paralyzing to the point of not knowing what to do. Your friend probably thought about calling the doctor earlier
January 19, 2010 - 1:08amWhen you are in the midst of such anxiety, it can be paralyzing to the point of not knowing what to do. Your friend probably thought about calling the doctor earlier, but felt she just couldn't "afford" the time due to all her responsibilities.
January 19, 2010 - 11:45amI could not agree more about feeling paralyzed by the anxiety. I know that her stress level by that point was so high, coupled with, as you say, feelings that she had to meet all the responsibilities, were overwhelming. I'm glad it was just an anxiety attack and not the real thing.
January 20, 2010 - 11:35amWell you are saying quite right. In now days women are under great stress.
February 10, 2010 - 3:16amResearch by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that women often experience new or different physical symptoms as long as a month or more before experiencing heart attacks.
Among the 515 women studied, 95-percent said they knew their symptoms were new or different a month or more before experiencing their heart attack, or Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). The symptoms most commonly reported were unusual fatigue (70.6-percent), sleep disturbance (47.8-percent), and shortness of breath (42.1-percent).
February 27, 2010 - 5:13amSurprisingly, fewer than 30% reported having chest pain or discomfort prior to their heart attacks, and 43% reported have no chest pain during any phase of the attack. Most doctors, however, continue to consider chest pain as the most important heart attack symptom in both women and men.
Thank you for your response, anonymous. That is some great information that you found and certainly information that is pertinent to women's health.
February 28, 2010 - 11:42am