When a doctor makes a mistake, it can result in a serious health problem or even death.

Heart attack symptoms in men versus women

On Behalf of | Jan 18, 2019 | Failure To Diagnose |

Washington residents have a certain level of personal risk for having a heart attack. However, the symptoms in heart attacks can differ hugely from person to person. This can potentially lead to misdiagnoses that may be fatal.

Verywell Health shows that men and women experience heart attacks differently, and that they may be slightly easier to pinpoint in men because of the more “classic” symptoms. Women, on the other hand, experience symptoms that aren’t typically talked about. This can include:

  • Shortness of breath or sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Pain in the jaw, neck, or back

Additionally, these symptoms can appear anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks before the actual heart attack occurs, and can act as red flags warning a person that one might be on the way. Issues with the heart can also be harder to diagnose in women because their hearts are actually a smaller size, leading to clots or damage and obstructions being potentially unnoticed in examinations.

Harvard Medical School also examines the difference between the two genders and their heart attack risks. For men, classic symptoms include chest pain that can range in severity and duration. They are more likely to recover faster and leave the hospital more quickly, less likely to die in the hospital after a heart attack, and more likely to be put on medication to prevent future clots.

Those who have been treated for something outside of a heart attack may find themselves permanently crippled. It’s possible someone has even lost their loved one due to this. The severity of the effects of a misdiagnosed heart issue can be long-reaching and last for years.