NHS doctor shares warning signs of heart attacks in women as they often go unnoticed

When it comes to our health, it can be frightening to think about emergency scenarios or falling dangerously ill, but it's essential to understand the warning signs of serious health problems so you can be best prepared to protect yourself.

Most of us might think we know the classic warning signs of a heart attack, like chest pain or pressure in our arms or shortness of breath. However, a doctor has issued a warning about the different signs of heart attacks in women - that often go unnoticed. She insists "we just don't talk about it enough".

Dr Punam Krishan, who is an NHS doctor, said heart disease is the number one killing in the UK. She noted: "Most of us have the same picture in our minds when it comes to heart attack - a man clutching the centre of his chest with pain going down the arm and that's it - and that's not actually it."

She added: "The reality actually is that women often don't get those classic symptoms and that is one of the reasons why heart attacks in women are more likely to be missed."

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She said rather than intense pain, women may experience small chest pain or pressure that can spread to the arms, back, neck, jaw.

The doctor, who has worked in the medical industry for over 20 years, further added: "It might be sudden onset extreme tiredness or exhaustion, shortness of breath, it might be nausea or vomiting, pain in the jaw, the neck or the upper back, you might break out in cold sweat or a gut feeling that something isn't right."

She noted that she has seen the signs of heart attacks being missed in women "too many times". She asks people to ensure they do not down play their symptoms - and notes you are better off listening to your body than ignore signs before its too late.

"When it comes to heart attacks timing saves lives," she added.

Earlier this month the NHS took to social media asking people to "spread the word" about signs of heart attacks.

The NHS posted: "Do you know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? Know what to do in these emergencies and help spread the word."

Subsequently, the NHS detailed the actions to take if someone is undergoing a cardiac arrest: "The person will be unconscious and not breathing, or not breathing normally. The faster you act, the better their chances of survival."

In the event of a suspected cardiac arrest, the advice is to dial 999 and commence CPR without delay. "Additionally, the NHS offered guidance for situations where someone might be having a heart attack."

They advised: "The person will usually be conscious and may experience symptoms including chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

"If you think someone is having a heart attack, call 999 immediately."

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

On the NHS website, the symptoms of a heart attack are listed as:

• chest pain - a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
• pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
• feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• sweating
• shortness of breath
• feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• an overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
• coughing or wheezing

It's important to remember that symptoms can vary from person to person, and while chest pain is the most common one, some might have shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain without any chest pain at all.

Always call 999 immediately if you think someone is having a heart attack.