There was a story circulating a while back about a nurse who had a heart attack without any of the classic warning signs. Her story stuck with me, because it’s a reminder that not everyone has the same symptoms, especially women.
That nurse’s story goes against almost everything people think a heart attack is supposed to look like.
It Didn’t Start with Chest Pain
She was middle aged. Just sitting on the couch reading a book at home. Not exercising. Not in a stressful moment. Not doing anything out of the ordinary.
It didn’t start with chest pain. There was no pain shooting down her arm. Nothing happened that would make most people say, “This is a heart attack.”
It actually started as a feeling of indigestion. She described a strange, uncomfortable feeling in her stomach that didn’t make sense. Then a sensation that moved upward. She stood up. Felt off. And then she passed out.
She was alone.
She was able to call 911 when she came to, then unlocked her front door and laid down on the floor like they told her to. Blacked out again and woke up in the hospital.
That was her heart attack.
When Symptoms Don’t Match Expectations
No dramatic warning signs. None of the classic symptoms we’ve all come to associate with heart attacks. Just a feeling that something wasn’t right.
Heart attack symptoms in women can look nothing like what people expect. And when people don’t recognize what’s happening, help is delayed.
In workplaces and homes, those moments get brushed off as indigestion, stress, fatigue, or “probably nothing.” And sometimes that delay is the difference.
Preparedness Goes Beyond Equipment
Preparedness isn’t just about AEDs and training. It’s also about awareness, and understanding that cardiac emergencies don’t always follow a script. It’s important to listen to your body when something feels off.
If something feels wrong, that alone is reason to act.
The more people understand this, the better chance there is for a timely response.
Listen to Your Body
Heart attacks can happen while sitting on a couch reading a book. They can start with indigestion. They can present without chest pain or arm pain or any of the textbook signs.
When something feels wrong in your body, trust that feeling. Call for help. Don’t wait for symptoms to match what you think they’re supposed to look like.
Because sometimes, the warning sign is simply knowing that something isn’t right.
Be Prepared to Recognize and Respond
At First Aid Canada, we believe preparedness includes both the tools and the knowledge to respond when it matters most. Our training programs go beyond CPR and AED use. We help teams recognize the signs of cardiac emergencies, understand that symptoms don’t always look the same, and build the confidence to act quickly.
Whether you’re looking to train your workplace team or equip your facility with the right emergency equipment, we’re here to help you be ready for the real world, not just the textbook scenarios.
Get in touch today. Let’s make sure your team is prepared to save lives.
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