Israeli Woman’s Abdominal Pain Reveals Hidden Heart Attack at Emek Medical Center

A 40-year-old woman from northern Israel, Esti Roitman, arrived at the emergency department of Emek Medical Center last week complaining of worsening abdominal pain radiating to her back. Convinced it was a digestive issue, she was shocked when she collapsed shortly after arrival and lost consciousness. Medical staff immediately identified her condition as a cardiac arrest caused by a heart attack.

Dr. Wasim Aslim, a senior emergency physician, described how Roitman was found pulseless and not breathing in a restroom. The team performed prolonged resuscitation efforts including defibrillation and adrenaline administration. After stabilizing her, an ECG confirmed a myocardial infarction, prompting urgent transfer to the catheterization lab where cardiologists quickly opened a blockage in her main artery. Roitman fully recovered the day after the procedure without brain damage.

Dr. Limor Boshari, head of cardiology at Emek Medical Center, emphasized that heart attack symptoms in women often differ from the classic chest pain presentation. Women may experience abdominal pain, back pain, severe weakness, or shortness of breath, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. She highlighted the importance of raising awareness about gender differences in cardiac symptoms to save lives.

Roitman expressed gratitude to the medical teams, calling her survival a rebirth and urging other women to listen to their bodies and seek prompt medical care. This case underscores the critical need for awareness of atypical heart attack symptoms in women to ensure timely intervention.