Stomach Upset? It Could Be a Heart Attack Sign, Especially for Women

Nausea and vomiting can be mistaken for food poisoning, but they may signal a heart attack, especially for women. Chantris Holliman, a heart health educator, shared her experience of mistaking her heart attack symptoms for a stomach bug.

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It usually depends on which blood vessel of the heart is involved.

Cardiologist Dr. Sean Heffron of NYU Langone Health confirms that nausea, while less common than chest pain, is not an unusual symptom. He explained that the specific blood vessel affected in the heart influences how symptoms manifest. "It usually depends on which blood vessel of the heart is involved," Heffron told HuffPost. He added that nausea and vomiting are more frequent in women.

According to the CDC, other heart attack signs in women can include jaw and neck pain, dull chest discomfort, upper abdominal or back pain, and extreme fatigue. Dr. Tara Narula, a cardiologist and medical contributor for NBC News, emphasized the importance of recognizing these differences. "It's important for these stories to be heard because many women expect the movie-like scenario – clutching their chest and collapsing. The reality is that symptoms can be much more subtle," Narula said.

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It's important for these stories to be heard because many women expect the movie-like scenario – clutching their chest and collapsing. The reality is that symptoms can be much more subtle.

Heffron noted that nausea is rarely the sole symptom of a heart attack, citing Holliman's case where she also felt chest pressure. He cautioned that food poisoning, stomach viruses, or motion sickness are far more common causes of nausea. However, if nausea is accompanied by other potential heart attack symptoms like chest pain, sweating, palpitations, or dizziness, it warrants concern, particularly for individuals with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

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Based on what we know, nausea is rarely the only symptom of a heart attack.