Most women ignore first symptom of heart attack seen more than a month before

Experts are sounding the alarm that a significant number of women could be ignoring a key symptom, potentially increasing their risk of dying from a heart attack.

Shockingly, data indicates that around 77 women in the UK fall victim to this medical emergency daily.

While chest pain is a well-known sign of a heart attack, other symptoms such as heartburn, anxiety, and experiencing "funny turns" are also common. These seemingly minor symptoms often lead women to postpone seeking vital medical help.

Now, experts are highlighting indigestion as an overlooked indicator of a heart attack, cautioning that it could herald the onset of the condition. A study published in the journal Circulation revealed that indigestion was a frequent symptom reported by women in the month leading up to their heart attack.

About 39 percent of the female participants in the study experienced discomfort before their heart attack, although indigestion wasn't typically present during the heart attack itself.

The NHS defines indigestion as pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen (dyspepsia) or a burning sensation behind the breastbone (heartburn). The research aimed to provide an accurate portrayal of coronary heart disease symptoms in women and to improve recognition of these crucial warning signs.

Researchers are ringing the alarm bells, warning: "The current description of 'typical' cardiac symptoms is based primarily on the experience of white, middle-aged men."

They highlight how this perception "contributes to misunderstandings in clinicians and lay individuals, leads to inaccurate diagnosis, and causes women to delay seeking treatment."

Underlining the stark reality, they pointed to studies showing that 85 to 90 percent of women reported a variety of symptoms before suffering a heart attack. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) chimes in with another grim fact – women are 50 percent more likely to receive an incorrect diagnosis when it comes to heart issues.

BHF advises certain measures to decrease the risk of a heart attack and reminds that if you suspect anyone, including yourself, might be having a heart attack, it's critical to dial 999 or head to the nearest A&E immediately.