Orthopaedic and sports surgeon Dr Obaidur Rehman recently shared the case of a woman who ignored “extreme unexplained fatigue” and ended up suffering a heart attack eight hours later. “She was 36. A mother of two. The kind who knew everyone else’s schedules but ignored her own body. That day didn’t start with pain. It started with exhaustion. Not the normal ‘I need coffee’ kind. The kind where her arms felt heavy. Her body felt wrong. Like she had already lived a full day by 10 a.m. She told herself the same lie millions do: ‘I’m just tired.’ By noon, the nausea came. Not enough to vomit. Just enough to feel unsettled.
A strange unease she couldn’t explain,” Dr Rehman noted in an Instagram post.
According to the doctor, there was “no fever,” “no stomach bug,” “no reason.” “Her breathing felt… off. Not gasping. Just shallow. Like she couldn’t take a full, satisfying breath. She sat down. Then stood up. Then sat again. She didn’t panic. Because 90% don’t. Because no one tells women that extreme unexplained fatigue + nausea + breathlessness can be the first warning of a heart attack. Eight hours later, her heart stopped negotiating. This is called atypical myocardial ischemia. Common in women. Deadly because it’s quiet.”
He explained, “No dramatic chest pain. Just signals so subtle they get blamed on stress, acidity, or sleep. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, read this twice because heart attacks don’t announce themselves. They whisper first.”
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Agreeing with the expert, Dr Saumya Sekhar Jenasamant, a consultant cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at KIMS Hospitals in Thane, said many women do not experience the classic crushing chest pain shown in movies. “Instead, early symptoms may include unexplained fatigue, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, or a general sense that something isn’t right. These unusual signs are one of the main reasons heart attacks in women are often recognised late,” said Dr Jenasamant.
Why do these symptoms get overlooked so easily?
Since they resemble common problems—stress, acidity, lack of sleep, anxiety, or hormonal changes. “Younger women, especially those in their 20s and 30s, rarely see heart disease as a possibility, and neither do the people around them. This delay in recognition can be dangerous,” mentioned Dr Jenasamant.
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Any sudden, unexplained exhaustion that feels out of proportion to activity should raise concern. According to Dr Jenasamant, if it comes with nausea, sweating, breathlessness, discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, or left arm, or a persistent uneasy feeling, it’s essential not to ignore it. These signs warrant medical evaluation, even in the absence of chest pain, said Dr Jenasamant.
Can young women with no known heart disease still be at risk?
Absolutely. Conditions such as high stress, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy-related complications, autoimmune diseases, and a strong family history can all increase risk. Heart disease is not just for older men, said Dr Jenasamant.
Unexplained fatigue can be a symptom (Photo: Freepik)
Are women prone to blood clotting?
Dr Jenasamant said that women can have a state of hyper-coagulability, which means they tend to form blood clots in the arteries and veins. “Conditions like antiphospholipid syndrome or women taking oral contraceptives are more likely to have these issues. This can lead to clots in heart vessels or leg veins, which are often ignored.”
What lifestyle changes genuinely help reduce risk?
Regular physical activity, stress management, adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and avoiding tobacco are crucial, said Dr Jenasamant. “Regular health check-ups are also important for monitoring blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, and discussing family history with a doctor,” added Dr Jenasamant.
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Listen to your body and trust persistent symptoms. Dr Jenasamant stressed that if something feels unusually wrong, seek medical help early.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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