More women die from heart disease than any other cause, including breast cancer.
Are You at Risk?
Uncontrollable risk factors:
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Gender (men have a greater risk earlier in life)
- Genetics
Controllable risk factors:
- Smoking
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes: Women with diabetes have a two to six times the risk of heart disease, with even more risk if other risk factors apply.
- High Blood Pressure
- Obesity: Adds to additional health problems that increase risk, especially if a lot of fat is at the waistline.
Learn more about our low-cost Heart Score program, which includes a cholesterol check, EKG test and a private consultation to assess your overall risk.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Women often do not believe they are having a heart attack because their symptoms are not the same as those traditionally associated with heart attacks in men. If you have one or more symptoms listed below, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Signs of a heart attack:
- uncomfortable pressure or pain in the chest
- pain in the shoulders, neck or arms
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- breaking out in a cold sweat
- light headedness
Women may also experience:
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, often without chest pain of any kind
- Unexplained anxiety, fatigue or weakness
- Cold sweat, palpitations or paleness
What's My Target Heart Rate?
Find out what a healthy heart rate is for a woman your age during aerobic excercise using our quick and easy Target Heart Rate Calculator.