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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Health
Julie Charnet

I work in a hospital – and didn’t know I was having a heart attack. Here’s what more women should know

an illustration of a heart, a man and a woman
‘The ER staff thought I might have had a heart attack and would have been on my way to another without medical intervention. When I heard the news, I was stunned.’ Illustration: Yi hui Chang/The Guardian

A few months ago at work, when I rose from my seat and walked a few steps, something felt off. There was a strange pressure in my chest and rib cage, but I ignored it, took my water bottle from the kitchen and returned to my desk.

The next day it happened again. There was no pain and my breathing was fine. But whenever I stood up and took a few steps, the odd squeezing would return. I work at a hospital as a neurosurgery coordinator, and the wall was lined with posters about stroke and heart distress signs. I barely glanced at the pictures, having memorized them years ago.

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