Scientists have found out why it is difficult to detect heart attack in women

The scientists of the University of Tromso have found out that women tolerate the heart attack pain better than men. Therefore, they often do not realize they have a heart attack. The scientists assessed pain tolerance in 4849 adults. The volunteers put their hands in cold water for two minutes. Also the participants underwent ECG, to find out who had a heart attack in the anamnesis, The Daily Mail reports.

The scientists have found that the volunteers, who were more tolerant to the pain, had often "silent" (asymptomatic) heart attacks in the past. The women had the closest connection between pain threshold and "silent" heart attacks. In general, heart attacks were more common in women than in men (7% vs. 19%). However, the scientists have revealed more "silent" heart attacks in women (75% vs. 58%).

As a rule the women more quickly removed their hands from the cold water. But they had more significant correlation between the pain tolerance and "silent" heart attacks. So, apparently, the women are more tolerant to the specific pain of heart attack. In addition, the researchers believe that the symptoms of heart attack in men and women are different. All this makes the diagnostic process more difficult.

Source: MEDdaily