Doctors are sounding the alarm on a silent killer disease that poses a greater risk to Australian women than breast cancer, with symptoms so subtle they are often impossible to recognise.
GP Dr Coleen Wood experienced this firsthand when she suffered a heart attack at her desk while seeing patients and didn’t even know it.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Silent heart attack symptoms women must know
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
“The bizarre thing was I saw several people and the heartburn didn’t clear up,” Wood said.
“Because I wasn’t really paying a great deal of attention to it, I just thought it was a nothing situation.”
Throughout the day, the pain worsened, travelling to her jaw, then the cold sweats began.
“Consultation finished and I thought, I’ve got to get myself to hospital,” she said.
There, the doctor became a heart attack patient.
GP Dr Coleen Wood suffered a heart attack while working. Credit: 7NEWSCardiologist Dr Jithin Sajeev and GP Dr Coleen Wood. Credit: 7NEWS
Knox Private Hospital cardiologist Dr Jithin Sajeev said about 10 to 15 per cent of patients present with vague symptoms rather than the classic central crushing chest pain.
Those subtle signs include chest tightness, pressure or discomfort, unexplained tiredness, shortness of breath, sweating or gut issues.
“Heart attacks in particular are the second most leading cause of death in women in Australia,” Sajeev said.
“Therefore, this delay in diagnosis may be part of this sort of problem that promotes poorer outcomes.”
According to the Heart Foundation, 19 Australians die every day from heart attacks — that’s one every 80 minutes.
Another 150 people are taken to hospital each day.
“I was very, very fortunate,” Wood said.
Now back at work, Wood is sharing a vital message with Australian women.
“It’s the fact that it presents so differently in women I think is very significant to get that message out there,” she said.
High school closed after vandals smash windows, spray graffiti
1 min read
Aussie cave diver speaks after confronting Laos rescue mission
2 min read
