Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds.
An estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases.
90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke.
Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men.
80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education
Fewer women than men survive their first heart attack.
The symptoms of heart attack can be different in women vs. men, and are often misunderstood.
Heart Attack Signs in Women
Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
If you have any of these signs, call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital right away.