Health and Psychology

It was a busy morning with some breaks that allowed me to have a conversation with an assistant.  The conversation went like this:

"I felt funny yesterday.  Sort of confused for a moment or two, and if the woman hadn't honked I might have hit her car."  she said.

"Funny and confused how?"  I asked.

"Just sort of tired and out of it.  Then my arm felt funny. It's still a little numb but it's better."  she said.

"And you broke out in a sweat"...I added.  "How's the neck and jaw pain?"  I asked.

"How did you know my neck and jaw hurt?"  She asked.

"Because you just described the symptoms of a heart attack in women."  

Fortunately, we have access to an elecrocardiogram at work.  She hooked herself up (she has medical training for this) and made a nice printout of her right anterior myocardial infarction to take with her to the hospital.  

When people think of heart attacks, they think of symptoms many men have.  Crushing chest pain.  Falling to the floor.  Gasping for breath.  Maybe indigestion.  But these aren't the symptoms noticed in the majority of women.

Women present differently.  They have aches in their back, neck, jaws and shoulders.  The pain starts gradually and many think it's just exertion.  But then they start getting really tired, maybe a bit dizzy.  They get sweaty, and hot, and confused.  They may get nauseous or have stomach pain.  They may vomit or get diarrhea.  Then, if they are lucky, the symptoms subside.  They rest a bit and the pain goes away.  The pain may return with exertion.  If they aren't lucky, their heart will stop until cardiopulmonary resusicitation or CPR is started to help their heart beat.  

I talked with her about what they would do with her at the hospital and likely treatments.  But I told her it wasn't something she could put off and that she needed to be seen urgently.  If you are having anything similar call 911 or have someone drive you to an emergency room.  It may save your life.