can a 22 year old female (non-athletic but skinny and in good shape) have a heart attack after feeling the exact symptoms for over 2 weeks) ?
2006-09-27 07:14:04 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Women's Health
Yes, it can happen, although it is very rare for a young female to suffer a heart attack. Your symptoms may be stress related, and not necessarily a heart attack. Consult your doctor.
2006-09-27 07:22:53 · answer #1 · answered by Sean M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very possible indeed. I am a RN on a cardiac inpatient floor and I have seen young people have heart attacks many times.
Usually when people have heart attacks at a young age it is either due to drug use (ie cocaine) or a congenital disease (as in they have had heart problems since their childhood). I say this is usually the case. Other major risk factors include smoking, being diabetic or overweight as well as a family history of heart problems. That being said, you can have none of the above and still have a fluke heart attack.
Symptoms can include but are not limited to pain in the left side of chest, jaw, neck, back and left arm. Shortness of breath is another big one. Women often don't have these typical symptoms and it is possible to have a 'silent heart attack' meaning you have no symptoms at all.
Bottom line: I would definitely get checked. It doesn't hurt to have it investigated, but it definitely could hurt if you don't.
2006-09-27 07:32:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heart Disease Is the Leading Killer of American Women
Guidant is committed to providing education on women's heart health. Consider these facts:
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in American women.
It is estimated that almost 1 in 3 women will eventually die of heart disease or stroke.
In a 2003 AHA poll, only 13% of American women considered heart disease their greatest health risk.
After menopause, women begin to develop and die of heart disease at a rate equal to that of men.
38% of women who have heart attacks die within a year, compared to 25% of men.
63% of women who die from coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
Many women and their doctors do not recognize the early signs of a heart attack.
Some diagnostic tests and procedures, including the exercise stress test, or stress ECG, might be less accurate in women.
Information in this section is designed to help you (or someone you know) ask the right questions, seek appropriate medical care and have an informative dialogue with your healthcare provider.
Women should learn the heart attack warning signs. These are:
Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest.
Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Other symptoms, such as a shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
If you feel heart attack symptoms, do not delay. Remember, minutes matter! Do not wait for more than a few minutes–5 minutes at most–to call 9-1-1. Your family will benefit most if you seek fast treatment.
To learn more about women and heart disease:
Healthy Heart Handbook for Women.
National Women's Health Information Center: September 11 is National 9-1-1 Day
2006-09-27 07:22:30 · answer #3 · answered by ^..^fox~~ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I work in the ems field and i have seen a total of 8 girls under 25 have a heart attck. better go get checked
2006-09-27 07:20:22 · answer #4 · answered by Jessie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you haven't described the symptoms you've been feeling. Secondly, the symptoms for an AMI (acute myocardial infarction) are not the same for a woman as they are for a man. If you have concerns, take them to your health care provider.
2006-09-27 07:26:54 · answer #5 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes darling! a heart attach is possible. YOu would think that age had something to do wtih alot of the sicknesses that are out here but it does not honey, if you feel tha tyou are sick i would like for you to go to the hospital
2006-09-27 07:36:41 · answer #6 · answered by gaurdianangelic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh yes. I knew a girl who was 25 and died of one. Go to the docs and get a 24 monitor and have them run some tests.
2006-09-27 07:16:42 · answer #7 · answered by Baby Jack born 4/5/09 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would guess your chances are not greater than 1 in 10,000 of a heart attack by age 32.
2016-03-27 13:44:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES YES YES. OLD FRIEND FOR HIGH SCHOOL HAD A HEART ATTACK AT 23. GET IT CHECKED.
2006-09-27 07:18:11 · answer #9 · answered by cecilia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stranger things have happened. I'd get it checked out. I'm sure its nothing, but you never know.
2006-09-27 07:20:42 · answer #10 · answered by miranda_20010402 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋