Even though heart disease is the number one killer of women, many of us wouldn’t be able to list the symptoms. When we think about heart attacks, many of us picture an elderly person grabbing his or her chest and dramatically collapsing to the ground.
In reality, heart attacks can – and do – happen to young women, so it is important for women of all ages to be able to recognize the symptoms. Symptoms of a heart attack can range from uncomfortable pressure in the chest to shortness of breath without any chest discomfort at all. For Diane Benson Harrington, it was pain in her left arm, followed by slightly uncomfortable pressure in her chest and breaking out in a cold sweat. She penned a personal account for the New York Times about having a heart attack at age 48.
The American Heart Association has a list of heart attack warning signs in women. If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.
Better yet, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Know your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and blood sugar. The first step you can take towards better heart health is to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider to determine your personal risk for heart disease.