Cardiac Gender Gap
Men and women have different heart attack symptoms By Johnny Woodhouse and Emilie Pennington
Heart attacks are more common and often strike earlier in men , but according to researchers , women are more likely to die from the condition . One reason is that women often experience a combination of less-recognized symptoms , which they may attribute to something non-life-threatening .
In addition , women having heart attacks wait more than 30 % longer than men to seek treatment , studies show .
“ Many women are focused on the daily aspects of their busy lives , which can include caring for children , a spouse or relatives , and tend to minimize their own symptoms ,” said Andre Macedo Dias , MD , a , cardiologist with Baptist Heart Specialists . “ It is very important not to disregard those symptoms and to seek medical attention . This is especially important in women who have risk factors or a strong family history of cardiovascular disease .”
If you experience any of these warnings signs , dial 911 immediately , try to stay calm and take deep breaths while you wait for first responders to arrive .
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