Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms911 Heart Attack SignsAverage Age of Heart AttackWhat Raises Risk in Men
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
911 Heart Attack Signs
Average Age of Heart Attack
What Raises Risk in Men
While people of any sex can have a heart attack, men have a higher risk of having one than women. Learning the unique way a heart attack affects men can help you know when to call 911 for lifesaving help for yourself or someone else.
Men often have problems that involvechest discomfort, upper body pain,shortness of breath, and/orcold sweatsthat can also affect women.They may also have othersigns(proof of a disease that others can detect) andsymptoms(an issue that a person with a disease feels) that differ from those that affect women.
This article describes heart attack symptoms and signs in men. It also includes details about the reasons men have a higher risk of having this problem.
Language UsageThe word “men” used in this article refers to people typically assigned male at birth. The term “women” refers here to people typically assigned female at birth. We recognize that not all people who identify as men have the same anatomy as used here for that term.
Language Usage
The word “men” used in this article refers to people typically assigned male at birth. The term “women” refers here to people typically assigned female at birth. We recognize that not all people who identify as men have the same anatomy as used here for that term.
6 Pre-Heart Attack Warning Signs a Month Before
Heart Attack Symptoms in Men
Heart attack symptoms in men include conditions that affect people of any sex as well as additional factors that occur more often in men. When you have these symptoms, a heart attack feels like something is physically wrong. Knowing that these conditions are symptoms of a heart attack in men can help you recognize the severity of your problem and seek immediate help.
Heart attack symptoms in men can include the following:
The following symptoms of a heart attack are also common in men:
Am I Having Heartburn or a Heart Attack?
Mini or Silent Heart Attack
Not all heart attacks create the same symptoms. Some heart attacks produce symptoms that trigger minor or less severe effects than the intense chest pain of a traditional heart attack. Heart attack pain does not have to be constant; it can occur, stop, and then return.
Heart attacks that do not produce traditional intense chest pain include the following:
Heart attack symptoms may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions. They can even resolve on their own if the clot dissolves or becomes dislodged. However, they can cause irreversible damage and increase your risk of a traditional heart attack.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms:
Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest
While a heart attack andcardiac arrestare both medical emergencies, they are different conditions, as follows:
If you or someone you are with shows signs of a heart attack or cardiac arrest, call 911 immediately. If the person is unresponsive and is not breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until professional emergency technicians arrive.
911 Heart Attack Signs to Not Ignore in Men
Every heart attack does not involve sudden, severe chest pain, as is often shown in the movies. Warning signs of a heart attack can begin gradually and then become more intense. Call 911 for the following heart attack signs that should not be ignored in men:
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
Average Age of Heart Attack in Men
The average age of a first heart attack in men in the United States is 65. However, a heart attack can happen to anyone at any age. Between 4% and 10% of all heart attacks in the United States occur before age 45, primarily among men.
Reasons Men Have an Increased Risk of Heart Attack
Research indicates that men are about twice as likely as women to have a heart attack throughout their lifetimes. This risk persists even after consideration of traditional risk factors for heart disease, such as:
Advanced age and a family history ofheart diseasecan increase anyone’s risk of having a heart attack. The following factors may contribute to men having an increased risk of heart attack versus women.
BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
BMI, Waist Circumference, or Waist-To-Hip Ratio?
Hypertension
Hypertension(high blood pressure) is a leading risk for heart disease and heart attacks. Research indicates that men tend to have a higher prevalence of high blood pressure than women do untilmenopause.
There is also evidence that men have less awareness of high blood pressure than women. Together, this means that men may be living with uncontrolled high blood pressure and its damage to their blood vessels for longer periods.
Stress Response
Men may be more likely to experience types ofstress responsesthat increase their risk of heart disease. Research indicates that middle-aged men who worry a lot have a higher chance of developing heart attack risk factors such asobesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease as they age.
Researchers also report that men who experience psychosocial stressors at work, like job strain and an imbalance between the effort and rewards received can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
Smoking
Smoking is a key risk factor for heart disease because it can cause blood vessels to narrow. Typically, men tend to use tobacco products at higher rates than women. In 2021, 11.5% of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes, including 13.1% of men and 10.1% of women.
Physical Activity
Research indicates that the lifetime risk of coronary heart disease with regard to physical activity in men is 36.2% for poor physical activity and 31.6% for recommended physical activity in men.Only about 25% of U.S. men meet the federal guidelines for physical activity.
Heart Disease Causes and Risk Factors
Summary
Anyone can have a heart attack, but the problem does not have the same impact on everyone. Common issues involve chest pain, upper body pain, shortness of breath, and/or dizziness.
If you have these symptoms or see these signs in someone else, call 911 as fast as possible. This can support the best outcomes of any heart event.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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