Experts have warned that many women could be missing a vital sign, making them more likely to die of a heart attack. According to data, around 77 women in the UK die every day due to this medical emergency.

As reported NottinghamshireLiveMost people experience symptoms such as chest pain during a heart attack. However, feelings of heartburn, anxiety and “funny thoughts” are also very common.

Because these symptoms seem relatively harmless, women often do not seek the medical help they need. And now experts have highlighted indigestion as a lesser-known symptom of a heart attack, saying it could indicate the cause.

A study published in the journal Trafficfound that indigestion was a common symptom experienced by women in the month before their heart attack.

About 39 percent of women in the study reported feeling uncomfortable before their heart attack, but indigestion was not common during the heart attack itself.

Indigestion can be pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen (dyspepsia) or a burning pain behind the breastbone (heartburn), explains the NHS. The aim of the study was to accurately describe the symptoms of coronary heart disease in women and to better understand the warning signs.

The researchers said: “The current description of ‘typical’ cardiac symptoms is based primarily on the experiences of middle-aged white men.

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This “contributes to misunderstandings among clinicians and laypeople, leads to inaccurate diagnoses, and causes women to delay seeking treatment.”

They added that previous research found that between 85 and 90 percent of women report several symptoms before a heart attack.

Women reported the following symptoms in the month before the heart attack:

• Unusual fatigue (71 percent).
• Sleep problems (48 percent).
• Shortness of breath (42 percent).
• Indigestion (39 percent).
• Anxiety (36 percent).

Women have experienced these symptoms during a heart attack:

• Shortness of breath (58 percent).
• Weakness (55 percent).
• Unusual fatigue (43 percent).
• Cold sweats (39 percent).
• Dizziness (39 percent).

THE British Heart Foundation (BHF) says women are 50 percent more likely than men to be misdiagnosed with heart problems.

According to the BHF, ways to reduce your risk of heart attack include:

• Staying active – proven to improve energy, sleep and quality of life
• Maintain a healthy weight and diet – this will improve your overall health and prevent additional strain on your heart.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink (less than the recommended 14 units per week)
• Stop smoking and using other tobacco products
• Control high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes).
  

If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.