Cardiac-Vascular Nursing (CVRN) Practice Exam

In educating patients about signs of heart attack, which symptom should be emphasized as most common in women?

1. Chest pain

2. Fatigue

3. Heartburn

4. Jaw pain

The correct answer is: Fatigue

In educating patients about the signs of a heart attack, emphasizing fatigue as a common symptom in women is particularly important. Women often experience atypical presentations of heart disease, and fatigue may occur without the classic chest pain that is more commonly associated with heart attacks in men. Research indicates that many women report a sense of unusual fatigue or extreme tiredness leading up to a heart attack, which can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions or attributed to stress. It's crucial to raise awareness that while chest pain is a significant warning sign, women may present differently and may ignore or misinterpret symptoms such as fatigue. Focusing on fatigue helps create a broader understanding of heart attack symptoms in women, enabling them to seek timely medical attention if they experience prolonged or unexplained tiredness, especially when accompanied by other risk factors or symptoms.