Denton County Living Well Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 19

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The Subtle Warning Signs
of a Heart Attack in Women

Courtesy The Heart Center of North Texas

ost women, if asked, do not believe a
heart attack is the greatest health risk
they face. They would be wrong. The
threat is very real, and understanding
the signs and symptoms of heart
attacks in women as well as your risk factors
for cardiovascular disease can only increase
your chances of surviving a heart attack.
Did you know heart disease, also known
as cardiovascular disease, is the leading
cause of death of women, accounting for
one-third of all deaths? Not breast cancer.
Not cancer of any kind. In fact, more
women die of heart disease than all cancers combined. You may be surprised
to learn a woman dies every minute of
every day due to heart disease, according
to the American Heart Association. Studies
show there is an acute lack of awareness
amongst women as to the severity of heart
disease and its impact on women. And even
more stunning, a 2005 study found that 30-50%
of heart attack symptoms in women go unrecognized by paramedics and emergency personnel! Is it
really that surprising that women with no medical training
whatsoever seem to be unaware of the warning signs of
heart disease, or worse, a heart attack?
Recent empirical work suggest those numbers have improved through increased awareness within the medical
community about heart disease in women. On top of that,
awareness campaigns such as the American Heart Associations’ Go Red for Women have greatly improved awareness

Warning signs
Below are the most important warning signs for women to watch
out for and how they can differ from men:

amongst the general population.
Sadly, half of all women still don’t believe heart disease
is a problem for them, and it’s common for women to miss
the tell-tale signs of a heart attack. Missing warning signs
can literally be the difference between life and death;
between getting life-saving treatment as soon as
possible or delaying help and treatment.

Now That You Know What
to Look For, What Do You Do?
As you’ve probably realized,
many of these symptoms can be
very subtle and confusing. Unfortunately, many of these signs
may be dismissed as nothing out
of the ordinary. So how do you
know if your symptoms are serious? It’s very important to stay
vigilant and proactive – take note
of your typical aches and pains and
your normal reactions to foods and
activities. This is so that when something is really wrong, you may recognize
it. If you experience worrisome or unusual
changes in your energy level, comfort, or sleep
habits, you should discuss your concerns with your
healthcare provider, especially if you have heart disease risk factors, such as high cholestero