Am I Having a Heart Attack? Quiz for Women

Heart Attack Symptom Quiz for Women

Did you know? 

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, are the leading cause of death in women worldwide, claiming more lives among women than any other condition. 

Heart attack symptoms in women are harder to recognise because they often present differently, such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and pain in the jaw, back, or upper abdomen rather than intense chest pain. 

Many women also experience mild discomfort rather than sudden, intense chest pain, which makes it easier to dismiss. 

Because of this, women may delay seeking medical support, increasing the risk of complications and threatening life. Take this quiz to get insights into your risk and learn whether it’s time to take action for your heart health. 

Below is a questionnaire along with answer choices. Select the option that best describes what you experience. Take a piece of paper and note down whether your answer is A, B, C, or D for each question.

At the end of the quiz, we’ll count which letter appears the most in your answers, and your results will be based on this.

1. Are You Experiencing Chest Pain or Discomfort?

A) Yes, it’s a sudden, severe, crushing pain that feels like pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the centre of my chest.

B) Yes, I feel a mild discomfort and tightness in the chest that appears and then subsides for a period before returning.

C) I don’t feel any pain in the chest, but the discomfort resembles a heartburn or muscular pain.

D) No, I don’t feel any chest pain or discomfort at all.

2. Do You Have Pain in Any Other Parts of Your Body?

A) Yes, I feel pain spreading to my arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

B) Yes, but it is mild and not consistent.

C) I feel slight discomfort, similar to indigestion or muscle soreness.

D) No, I don’t feel pain in any other areas of my body.

3. Are You Experiencing Unusual Shortness of Breath?

A) I am gasping for air even with complete rest – it feels like I’m being smothered.

B) Yes, I find it hard to take full, deep breaths.

C) Yes, but only when I exert myself.

D) No, my breathing feels completely normal.

4. Are You Feeling Nauseous, Lightheaded, or Dizzy?

A) Yes, I feel intensely nauseous and dizzy, like I might pass out at any moment.

B) Yes, I feel nauseous and dizzy, but it’s not persistent. It comes and goes unpredictably.

C) I feel a bit off, but I can carry on with my daily activities.

D) No, I feel completely normal and steady.

5. Are You Feeling Extreme Fatigue or Weakness?

A) Yes, I feel overwhelmingly exhausted, even without any physical effort.

B) Yes, I’ve been feeling weak and tired lately, as if my body is running on a low battery.

C) I feel tired, but I think it’s just because of a lack of sleep or a busy day at work.

D) No, I feel energised and normal. I am not experiencing any unusual tiredness.

6. Have You Experienced Indigestion or Stomach Discomfort?

A) Yes, I have severe nausea, vomiting, or a burning sensation in my stomach that feels unusual.

B) Yes, I feel a mild discomfort in my stomach, like bloating and slightly nauseous, but it’s not too severe.

C) I experience occasional bloating or indigestion, but I think it’s because of something I ate.

D) No, my stomach feels completely fine.

7. Do You Feel Your Heart Racing in a Way That Is Irregular or Fast?

A) Yes, I have a rapid pounding sensation in my chest, like my heart is racing or beating irregularly.

B) Yes, I notice my heart racing, even when I’m resting.

C) My heartbeat feels a bit faster, but only when I exert myself or when I’m stressed or anxious.

D) No, I don’t notice any irregular heartbeats. It feels steady and normal.

You’ve reached the end of the quiz! Hope you’ve kept track of your answers. Now, take a minute to review your choices and see which letter – A, B, C, or D – you selected the most.

Each answer reflects different levels of risk – let’s break it down and see what it means. Read on to find out!

Quiz Results: What Do Your Answers Mean?

Keep in mind that your responses can help assess whether your symptoms might point towards a heart attack, but they do not replace medical advice. Here’s what your quiz result means:

Mostly A’s: Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you picked mostly A’s, your symptoms could be serious and might indicate a heart attack. Please don’t ignore them. Stay calm, and without wasting time, call emergency services right away at 999 (or 911) or your local emergency number.

Mostly B’s: Possible Warning Signs – Consult a Doctor

If you have picked mostly B’s, your symptoms indicate early signs of heart disease or other unusual conditions affecting your heart health. It’s important to not ignore these symptoms and make an appointment with a healthcare professional as soon as possible to get checked and ensure that everything is okay.

Mostly C’s: Monitor Your Symptoms

If you have picked mostly C’s, you likely don’t need to worry about having a heart attack, as these symptoms are usually linked to other factors like stress, anxiety, digestive issues, lack of sleep, or other underlying health problems. However, it is always good to keep an eye out for symptoms that worsen or persist. See a doctor to know the cause of your symptoms and ease any worries about a heart attack.

Mostly D’s: Low Risk, But Stay Aware

Are most of your choices D’s? If so, your symptoms may not be related to your heart, but maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle is still important. The best way to prevent heart disease is to take proactive steps – get regular check-ups and adopt habits that can improve your heart health.

When to Call Emergency Services

Why is it crucial to call emergency services immediately? 

You should seek medical help or dial the emergency number if you experience:

• Severe pain, heaviness, or pressure in the chest, lasting for more than a few minutes or comes and goes.
• Pain that radiates to your neck, shoulders, arms, jaw, or back.
• Chest pain is accompanied by symptoms like severe fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, or cold sweats.
• Symptoms that worsen with the mildest physical activity and do not improve with rest.

Key Differences in Heart Attack Symptoms: Women vs. Men

According to research, females present with more “atypical” heart attack symptoms than males, which may not be recognised by patients and physicians alike. 

Women also have a greater pain threshold, which makes the discomfort feel less severe, causing many women to dismiss or delay seeking treatment, increasing the risk of complications.

Let’s look at how heart attack symptoms vary between men and women.

1. Chest Pain

• Men usually experience classic chest pain – a severe, heavy, and crushing type of pain in the centre or left side of the chest.
• Women usually do not experience severe pain in the chest; instead, they feel discomfort, pressure, or tightness in the chest.

2. Location of Pain

• Men typically report chest pain radiating down the left arm.
• Women are more likely to feel pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, jaw, and back rather than just the chest.

3. Shortness of Breath

• Men are less likely to experience shortness of breath associated with a heart attack
• Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, which is easily mistaken for other conditions.

4. Nausea and Dizziness

• Symptoms like nausea and dizziness are less common symptoms of heart attack in men. If present, they usually occur alongside chest pain.
• Nausea and dizziness are more common in women and can sometimes occur without chest pain and mimic non-cardiac issues, leading to delays in seeking medical help.

5. Fatigue

• In men, fatigue is less common as a primary symptom of a heart attack.
• In women, fatigue is a more common and early warning sign of a heart attack.

Women are more likely than men to experience a heart attack without chest pain – between 30 and 37% of women do not have chest discomfort during a heart attack. 

Heart attack symptoms in women are not limited to the chest; they can be more widespread throughout the body and often feel less severe. These subtle symptoms are usually easier to overlook, delaying timely medical attention.

How to Reduce Your Heart Attack Risk

Heart disease can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Take charge of your heart health – it’s never too early or too late to start caring for it. 

Here are some expert-recommended tips to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart attack:

• Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats in your diet. Limit your intake of processed foods, refined sugar, and excessive salt.
• Do moderate-intensity exercises like jogging, swimming, or cycling for at least 30 minutes daily to strengthen your heart and improve circulation.
• Chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease. Practice stress-relieving techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises to reduce stress and bring down the risk of heart attack.
• Get regular health check-ups to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels to detect any changes early and take preventative action.

Wrapping Up

A heart attack can present differently in women, mostly with subtle and widespread symptoms and an absence of severe chest pain, making it easier to overlook.

This quiz enables you to recognise the warning signs, but it is not a substitute for medical advice. If your symptoms are severe, persistent, and concerning, seek medical attention immediately. 

Even in the absence of significant chest pain or discomfort, symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, or digestive problems may indicate heart ailments. These may also be early signs of a heart attack.

Awareness of symptoms can go a long way in preventing heart disease by enabling you to prioritise heart health through a balanced diet and lifestyle. 

The heart is your engine – keep it running strong and nurture it with care.