My homeschooling friend Vicky sent me an email this morning about women and heart attacks.  Did you know that one of every two women will die from heart disease or stroke?  That was an amazing statistic to me!  I'm sure this email is making the rounds again, but I think it's warning is definitely a good one that we all need to hear.  Main point:  you might not have stabbing chest pain as a sign of heart attack if you're a woman.  I didn't realize that *jaw* pain was also a major signal.  So here's a medical article from www.healthy-heart-guide.com that I hope will help someone recognize a serious problem before it's too late!

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Heart attack symptoms in women are often different than those of men, and as such women should learn the specific signs of a heart attack.

FACT: Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in American women...it is estimated that almost 1 in 2 women will eventually die of heart disease or stroke!

What are the heart attack symptoms in women?
The symptoms of heart attack in women are often much subtler than those of men, and as such can be harder to detect.

Take a look at the following heart attack symptoms in women:

Female Heart Attack Symptoms

• Loss of breath not necessarily accompanied by chest discomfort
• Feeling of unusual fatigue, body aches or weakness
• Nausea, vomitting, headaches, cold sweats and other flu-like symptoms
• Feeling of pain in the upper body - chest, shoulders, neck and back
• Feeling of unexplained anxiety or unease

How are symptoms of heart attack in women different than men?
The heart attack symptoms women experience can be different than those of men. As men typically experience the severe chest pain and pulsing through the arms when they are having a heart attack, heart attack symptoms women experience are often less severe, and as such are often misdiagnosed as other less severe problems such as chronic fatigue or flu.

Also, most of the studies related to the heart and heart attacks have been performed on men, so many doctors are less familiar with the symptoms of heart attack in women. As such, treatment is often delayed in women that suffer heart attacks, resulting in increased damage that could have been avoided with proper diagnosis.

What should you do if you have the aforementioned signs of a heart attack?
If you experience any of these female heart attack symptoms, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Call or have someone call 911 immediately and tell them you might be having a heart attack. You must get to the emergency room as soon as possible, it could be a matter of life or death!

When you arrive, insist they test you for a heart attack....don't fall victim to a misdiagnosis.

I read in another article that over 70% of women who suffered heart attacks had overwhelming fatigue in the month previous to it--not the usual I'm a tired mom variety, but the I have to stop and rest while making the bed variety.  Another point not to miss: DON'T DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE HOSPITAL! (yup, that would be me!) *and* DON'T LET YOUR HUBBY DO IT, EITHER!  He won't be able to pay attention to the road. Oxygen is your friend and the paramedics have it.  If you think there's a possibility you might be having a heart attack, dial 911.