Knowing the Signs Of A Womans Heart Attack Is Crucial

Chances are good that you know at least one woman who is at risk for heart disease, the number one killer in the U.S. And yet, 80 percent of heart disease cases are preventable. The only risk factors you cannot modify are your age and your family history. Womansday dot com provides information on how you can protect yourself and all the women in your life.

Heart Disease by the numbers

8 million women currently live with heart disease
43 percent of deaths in American women are caused by cardiovascular disease
267,000 women die of heart attacks each year
46,000 more women then men suffer strokes each year
21,000,000 women age 60 and older have high blood pressure
ONLY 20 percent of women identify heart disease as the greatest health problem facing women today
Know the signs of a woman's heart attack
While chest pain is the primary symptom of a heart attack in both sexes, women are more likely than men to experience additional signs, such as

Shortness of breath
Nausea or vomiting
Profuse sweating or cold sweats
Dizziness
Neck, shoulder, upper back, jaw or abdominal pain
Extreme fatigue
And finally, do not neglect yourself in caring for others. One doctor notes that his hospital sees more female heart attack patients at the end of the day because that's when women finally pay attention to their symptoms.