For both men and women, common warning signs of a heart attack include:

In contrast with the common warning signs listed above, some women may have less “typical” symptoms when they are having a heart attack. Women are less likely than men to feel severe chest pain and are more likely to report a feeling of severe heartburn in the upper abdomen or pain in the breast. Unless a woman is familiar with these atypical symptoms, she may delay getting to the hospital. By the time a woman decides to seek medical attention, severe damage to the heart may already have occurred. When in doubt, chew a “regular” aspirin (not acetaminophen) if you are not allergic or don't have an ulcer, and call 9-1-1 immediately. Aspirin can greatly reduce the chance of dying from a heart attack.

When meeting with a healthcare professional during an emergency, women should communicate the nature of the apparent health crisis and their need for tests (e.g., blood tests and an EKG) to be run as soon as possible. These may include tests measuring cardiac enzymes and C-reactive protein. Women who are concerned about their heart health are encouraged to seek a second opinion if they are not satisfied with the first.