Cardiac News, Classes & Events

Heart Attack Symptoms: Women vs. Men

08 Feb 2011

5 unusual signs to take note of during February’s Heart Healthy Month

For more information contact:
Karyn Odway, karyn@cyanpoint.com
(312) 479-1271

It's a sobering statistic: 60 million Americans are living with heart disease. More women will die from it than men each year, and studies shows it’s because many women miss the symptoms of a heart attack.

Researchers found many women under age 55 expect the warnings signs to be what we’ve heard for years—tightening of the chest and shortness of breath. But those are the signs men often experience; many times, heart attacks manifest themselves very differently in women.

So ladies, be in the know when it comes to your heart attack symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Excessive sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Back or jaw pain
• Light headedness

If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering a heart attack, dial 9-1-1 immediately.

Another Healthful Hint from the experts at Weiss Memorial Hospital: Early detection of a heart attack and immediate treatment can be critical to a women's health.

“Cardiac rehabilitation can vastly improve the long-term heart health of patients,” said Amjad Sheikh, MD, director of the Cardiac Diagnostic & Rehabilitation Center at Weiss Memorial Hospital. “The best rehabilitation programs are multidisciplinary and individualized.”

For more information on heart health, visit Cardiac Care at Weiss.