The first time Jessica Biggs remembers someone talking to her about the symptoms of heart attacks in women, she was 32 — and having one herself.
Four heart attacks and six stents later, the Lebanon High School teacher speaks openly to other women about the realities of heart attacks for women, how they are different, and how to spot the warning signs. Heart disease poses a serious risk for women in the United States, yet the symptoms often are chalked up to other conditions, such as stress, anxiety or aging. Indeed, women have unique heart health needs best served by experts who specialize in caring for their hearts.
Jessica’s first heart attack symptoms continued on and off for three days before she sought medical attention. They began while she was away from her Tennessee home on a business trip. As she began driving back, she became so fatigued that she pulled over at a rest stop to take a nap before making her way home.
“I just pushed through it like you would a pulled muscle,” she said. “It didn’t cross my mind to go to the hospital.”
Symptoms appeared on and off for three days. She tried home remedies, including yoga, but sought medical attention when symptoms became more intense.
Over time, other heart attacks followed. Jessica finally found out why after being sent to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Though it is a less common cause of heart attacks in women, Jessica still works to educate women on the warning signs.
She wants to help empower more women to become active in their heart health, ask their healthcare providers about their potential risks, and understand how they can prevent heart disease and heart attacks.
Jessica’s experiences helped her realize the importance of women listening to their own bodies, advocating for the care they need and being proactive with their heart health.
She wants to help other women understand this better – and to teach their daughters: “Don’t play around with your health. Listen to your body. If you’re hurting in your chest, it doesn’t always mean it’s anxiety. If you get to the hospital and they tell you nothing’s wrong, better safe than sorry.”
Vanderbilt Women’s Heart Center
Vanderbilt Health offers a specialized program tailored to women’s heart health needs, spanning adolescence and the childbearing years through menopause. Women’s Heart Center experts work together to treat heart disease with the special needs of women in mind. Visit VanderbiltHealth.com/WomensHeart for more information.
