5 Life-Saving Facts You Didn’t Know About Women’s Heart Disease

Many people know that heart symptoms are different in women, but do you know what they are?

The most common symptoms before a heart attack:  unusual fatigue, sleep changes, and shortness of breath.

The most common sensations at the time of a heart attack: unusual shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue.

Other facts that might surprise you:

• Only 30% of women experience chest pain leading up to a heart attack.
• More women than men blame their heart attack symptoms on stomach problems.
• Women have a worse prognosis than men after a heart attack because they are diagnosed later in the course of their disease.

The good news? At least 70% of heart disease is completely preventable, especially so for women. 

A Mediterranean-style diet, exercise, and stress management are key.

My advice for women:

Trust your intuition. If symptoms, however difficult to pin down, are new and seem “wrong,” get them checked out fast.

My advice for men:

Women are too often focused on other people to think about their own health. Help empower the women in your life by encouraging them to take action.