Pain in the Jaw, Shoulders, or Neck
When we think of jaw pain, we almost always suspect that there is a cause related to some kind of dental ailment. However, for women, the pains listed above may be signs of an impending heart attack, according to Dr. Oz. These symptoms are often accompanied by a persistent nausea - symptoms that are not often immediately linked to a heart attack. And while these symptoms may be easy to overlook, up to 95 percent of women who have suffered a heart attack have experienced one or more of those symptoms up to a month before the attack itself.
If you’re experiencing pain in the jaw, neck, or shoulders, and you feel pressure or tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness or fatigue, persistent headache, nausea or vomiting, you could be experiencing a heart attack. You should call 911 - never drive yourself to the hospital because you could hurt yourself or another driver - and don’t second guess your symptoms. Heart attacks can be fatal if medical attention isn’t sought in minutes. If you are able, Dr. Oz advises chewing on an aspirin while waiting for the ambulance to reduce your risk or amount of permanent damage to the heart muscle.
Severe Headache
Headaches are the most common kind of pain we experience, and a headache can signify a number of ailments. They can be triggered by something as innocent as wearing our hair in a ponytail that’s too tight, or can be caused by stress or dehydration. However, a sudden, severe headache, known as a “thunderclap headache,” can be the sign of something called a bleeding stroke, or ruptured aneurysm.
If you or someone you know develops a headache that has a sudden onset and becomes crippling within a matter of seconds or minutes, it may be a sign that you’ve developed a ruptured aneurysm. This condition is fatal 40 percent of the time, according to the Today Show. They advise that you should seek help immediately, especially if your headache is accompanied by pain behind the eye, neck pain, or numbness on one side of your face.