Symptoms of a heart attack may not be obvious

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Feb 7, 2008 at 1:16 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 7, 2008 at 1:16 PM EDT

Could feeling tired be a sign of a heart attack? Cardiologists say yes.

Pressure and discomfort in the middle of the chest are traditional symptoms, but they say it's often the atypical signs that make diagnosis difficult.

And women seem to experience more subtle heart attack symptoms than men. Some experts say it may be related to anatomy, in particular, smaller blood vessels in women.

Women tend to complain of more shortness of breath," explained cardiologist Dr. Sally Beer. “They may have more pain in their back when they exert themselves. They may just have nausea.”

Doctors say vomiting, coughing, loss of appetite, all sound like the flu, but can also be signs of a heart attack.

No matter what the symptoms, prompt treatment is vital.

If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911.

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