Both stroke and heart attack symptoms occur suddenly. Though the two events have a few possible symptoms in common, their other symptoms differ.
A common symptom of a stroke is a sudden and powerful headache. A stroke is sometimes referred to as a “brain attack.” A heart attack, on the other hand, often occurs with chest pain.
Recognizing the different symptoms of a stroke and heart attack can make a big difference in getting the right kind of help.
If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke, call 911 or your local emergency services. Quick emergency care can be lifesaving. Medical professionals can diagnose the cause of the symptoms and perform lifesaving treatment.
Learn more about the symptoms and risk factors of a heart attack and stroke.
The symptoms of both a heart attack and stroke can come on
| Heart attack symptoms | Stroke symptoms |
|---|---|
| chest discomfort, such as pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain | drooping face or facial paralysis, usually affecting one side of the face |
| upper body discomfort, usually affecting the arms, upper back, stomach, or neck | arm weakness, usually affecting one side of the body |
| shortness of breath | difficulty speaking or understanding speech |
| cold sweat | severe headache with no known cause |
| lightheadedness | trouble seeing |
| nausea or vomiting | trouble walking |
The symptoms of stroke and heart attack can depend on:
- the severity of the episode
- your age
- your sex
- your overall health
Both heart attack and stroke are medical emergencies and require prompt medical attention. Call 911 or your local emergency services if you or someone else may be having a stroke or heart attack.
The symptoms of both stroke and heart attack can look and feel different in females than in males, who tend to exhibit the more classic symptoms above.
While females may have more typical symptoms, they can also have different or additional symptoms. These symptoms may be more subtle, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of stroke and heart attack in females can include:
| Additional heart attack symptoms in females | Additional stroke symptoms in females |
|---|---|
| shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort | general weakness |
| back or jaw pain | disorientation, confusion, or memory problems |
| dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting | fatigue |
| nausea or vomiting | nausea or vomiting |
Learn more about the symptoms of stroke in females and the symptoms of heart attack in females.
Stroke and heart attack have many risk factors in common. These include:
- smoking
- high cholesterol or atherosclerosis
- high blood pressure, which can strain your blood vessel walls and negatively affect your circulation
- older age
- family history
Additional risk factors for stroke can include:
- having a heart rhythm abnormality, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can increase your risk of blood clots
- having had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the past
- having migraine with aura
- using estrogen-containing contraceptives or hormone therapy
- having unmanaged diabetes
- pregnancy
- certain illnesses, such as COVID-19
If you are at risk of stroke or heart attack, you can take some steps to lower your risk and support your cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular health in the transgender community
Most of the sources used in this article use “men” and “women” to indicate sex and can be assumed to have primarily cisgender participants. However, like most conditions, sex and assigned gender are not the most likely indicators of heart attack or stroke symptoms.
While research on the transgender community is still limited, a
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A doctor can better help you understand how your specific circumstances can affect your overall cardiovascular health.
The outlook following a stroke or heart attack depends greatly on the severity of the event and how quickly you get treatment.
Some people who have a stroke
Following a heart attack, you may be able to resume most of the activities you enjoyed before if you do all of the following:
- follow your doctor’s orders
- participate in cardiac rehabilitation
- maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle
Your life expectancy will depend greatly on whether you follow heart-healthy behaviors. If you have a stroke or heart attack, it’s important to take the rehabilitation process seriously and stick with it.
A heart attack typically causes chest pain and discomfort. You may also have other symptoms, and they can also vary based on the severity of the heart attack.
A stroke typically causes facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body, speech difficulties, or all of these symptoms.
Both heart attack and stroke are emergency medical events and require immediate treatment to reduce the risk of death and disability.
If you think you or someone else is having either a stroke or heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency services.