The death of Michelle Roberts, a 39-year-old mother of five, after suffering a 'widowmaker' heart attack has underscored a critical issue: women often experience atypical symptoms that can be dismissed, leading to fatal delays in treatment. Roberts, who had no pre-existing health conditions and led an active lifestyle, initially mistook her symptoms of severe heartburn and fatigue for indigestion or exhaustion.
Despite calling emergency services, a significant delay in ambulance arrival contributed to her death in October 2024. Her husband, Ben Roberts, has since spoken out about the tragedy, emphasizing the importance of recognizing less common signs of heart attacks in women and calling for improved emergency response protocols. He is currently pursuing a claim against the NHS for the delayed response.
Cardiologists explain that heart attacks, where blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, kill around 24,000 Britons annually. While classic symptoms like crushing chest pain and shortness of breath are well-known, women frequently present with different indicators. These can include persistent fatigue, nausea, breathlessness, and heartburn.
Dr. Oliver Guttman, a consultant cardiologist, noted that these symptoms are sometimes misattributed to stress, indigestion, or menopause. "The problem is, women don't present in the typical way we might expect," he said. "But not only are women less likely to complain, they also describe more atypical symptoms such as fatigue, heartburn and shortness of breath rather than crushing chest pain."
Risk factors for heart attacks include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, obesity, and lack of exercise. However, a significant number of people with high blood pressure and cholesterol are unaware of their condition. Experts also point to Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a genetic form of high cholesterol that does not appear on standard checks and can double the risk of heart attack, even in otherwise healthy individuals. GPs currently only test for Lp(a) if there is a family history of early-age heart disease.
Survival rates for a 'widowmaker' heart attack outside of a hospital setting are as low as 12 percent. Experts stress that rapid treatment is crucial, with studies indicating that every 30-minute delay in reaching a hospital can reduce life expectancy by approximately one year. A 2020 Spanish study found that patients with a better understanding of heart attack symptoms were far less likely to delay seeking help.
The East of England Ambulance Service acknowledged that their response fell below expected standards on the day of Michelle Roberts's death, citing significant operational pressures, including hospital transfer delays, as contributing factors. The service has apologized to the family. Ben Roberts hopes that by sharing their story, other families can be spared similar heartbreak, urging greater public awareness of heart attack symptoms in women and basic first aid training.