A magnetoresistive head assembly of the present invention includes a magnetoresistive sensor and an electrostatic discharge and electrical overstress protection circuit. The magnetoresistive sensor is capable of having conducted therethrough oppositely-directed first direction current and second direction current. The magnetoresistive sensor is sensitive to first direction currents in excess of a first predetermined value and to second direction currents in excess of a second predetermined value different than the first predetermined value. The electrostatic discharge and electrical overstress protection circuit is electrically connected to the magnetoresistive sensor for preventing only those first direction currents greater than the first predetermined value from flowing though the magnetoresistive sensor and only those second direction currents greater than the second predetermined value from flowing through the magnetoresistive sensor.