Heart Disease, What You Don't Know Can Kill You

Recently, a good friend of mine lost her mother. Her mother had suffered a heart attack, however, she failed to interpret the symptoms in time to save her life. This made me stop and think, I am still young, but my mother may be at risk. My friend’s mother didn’t know the symptoms, did my mom?

Ask most people what the signs of a heart attack are and they will recite a list that may include, pressure or a crushing feeling in the chest, shortness of breath and a sharp pain down the arm. These symptoms, however, are typically seen in men. If a woman is expecting the same warning signs, she may be mistaken and that mistake may cost her her life. It is also important to note that heart attacks do not often happen as they are portrayed in the movies. The person suffering from a heart attack will not always grab his or her arm and fall over with people running and screaming for help. Many times a heart attack will start slowly with minor discomfort or it may come and go. Because of the risks involved with heart disease, it is important to know all the symptoms. Keep in mind that not all the symptoms may happen at the same time and it is possible to have multiple heart attacks each exhibiting different symptoms.

The symptoms women need to be aware of are:

Indigestion (Pressure in the lower portion of the chest)
Nausea or dizziness
Weakness (unexplained fatigue)
Pressure or pain in the neck, shoulders, arms or jaw
Shortness of breath (Difficulty breathing)
Clamminess
Heart Flutters
Squeezing or pressure in the center of the chest

The risk of heart disease is very real for women. In fact, it is so frequent that while one in six women may die from breast cancer, one in two may die from heart disease. It is important for women to discuss problems with their doctor especially if they have already reached menopause. Women tend to suffer heart attacks about 10 years later than a man, between 55 and 65. Woman who suffer a heart attack when they are under 50 are twice as likely to die from the heart attack. The more women know about the risks and symptoms surrounding heart disease, the more lives can be saved.