ABC

Heart attack symptoms can look different in women

Hi there, health reporter Olivia Willis here with your weekly health digest.

When you think about signs of a heart attack, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

For many people, it's the classic clutching-of-the-chest pain — and for good reason (chest pain should never be ignored!).

But for women, heart attack symptoms can look different, and include things like shortness of breath, pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw, as well as dizziness and nausea.

These lesser-known but common symptoms are one of the reasons experts think women having a heart attack are less likely to be promptly diagnosed and treated compared to men.

This week, I spoke to the authors of a new Australian study which found sex and gender disparities in heart attack care have reduced — but women remain less likely to receive life-saving treatment.

"The good news is we feel raising awareness [of women's heart attack symptoms] has cut through, and people are recognising this … but the gap is closing too slowly," cardiologist and lead author Clara Chow told me.

I was surprised to learn that heart attack risk factors can also differ between men and women, and include gestational diabetes and early menopause. Here's the full story.

In other health news, a large survey of Australian GPs has found they're increasingly managing complex conditions typically handled by specialists — and only 12 per cent say they can afford to bulk-bill all patients.

And finally, menstruation cycles and the Moon: is there really a connection? Science reporter Ellen Phiddian has been digging into the evidence.

I'll catch you next week.

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