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Published on: 5/21/2025

Are There Any Unique Symptoms of Chest Pain in Women?

Yes, women can have different chest pain symptoms than men, with signs like unusual fatigue, pain in the neck, jaw, or back, and nausea sometimes occurring along with or instead of heavy or crushing chest pain.

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Explanation

Women may experience chest pain in ways that are different from the classic “crushing” chest pain often seen in men with heart problems. In many cases, women have extra symptoms along with chest pain. They might feel very tired or weak, have pain that spreads to the neck, jaw, back, or even the stomach area, or experience nausea or indigestion. These symptoms can sometimes be overlooked because they might not seem like heart pain. Researchers have found that these unique symptoms in women can be early warning signs of heart issues, so it’s important for women to pay attention to any unusual or new symptoms and discuss them with a doctor. Recognizing and acting on these signs can help ensure that any serious problem is diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

(References)

  • McSweeney JC, Cody M, O'Sullivan P, Elberson K, Moser DK, Garvin BJ. Women's early warning symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Circulation. 2003 Nov 25;108(21):2619-23. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000097116.29625.7C. Epub 2003 Nov 3. PMID: 14597589.

  • DeVon HA, Mirzaei S, Zègre-Hemsey J. Typical and Atypical Symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome: Time to Retire the Terms? J Am Heart Assoc. 2020 Apr 7;9(7):e015539. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.119.015539. Epub 2020 Mar 25. PMID: 32208828; PMCID: PMC7428604.

  • Schulte KJ, Mayrovitz HN. Myocardial Infarction Signs and Symptoms: Females vs. Males. Cureus. 2023 Apr 13;15(4):e37522. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37522. PMID: 37193476; PMCID: PMC10182740.

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