Denton County Living Well Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 29

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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 Associa-

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

tions’ Go Red for Women have greatly improved awareness
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 cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, a smoking habit, or a sedentary lifestyle.
If you don’t have a healthcare provider, call The Heart
Center of North Texas at 940-566-2358 to schedule a visit.

4. Unusual/Overwhelming Fatigue – Unusual or overwhelming
fatigue may also be an early heart attack sym