Broken Hearts in Disguise: Atypical Symptoms in Women

Abstract Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, but it is often difficult to diagnose in them. Diagnosing heart disease in women is challenging for many reasons, including atypical symptom presentation. Atypical symptoms found in women include unusual fatigue; sleep disturbance; shortness of breath; and discomfort in the chest, back, thorax, jaws, teeth, or arm. Primary care providers should remain alert to female patients with atypical chest pain and uncharacteristic symptoms of coronary concern.