Which symptoms are more commonly reported in female heart attack victims compared to the classic presentation?

Which symptoms are more commonly reported in female heart attack victims compared to the classic presentation?

• A. Dizziness, sweating, back or jaw pain, and shortness of breath
• B. Numbness in fingers alone
• C. Shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, sweating, back or jaw pain
• D. Back pain only

Answer: (C)

Women often experience heart attack symptoms that differ from the classic chest-pain picture. They are more likely to have non-chest signs such as shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, sweating, and back or jaw pain. The option that lists this exact combination best matches what is commonly reported in female heart attack victims, reflecting these broader, atypical symptoms.

Other options focus on a single symptom or a much less representative mix (for example, numbness in fingers alone or back pain only), which don’t capture the typical pattern women experience during a heart attack.