02
February
2017
|
19:57 PM
Europe/Amsterdam
Baptist Cardiologist Shares What All Women Should Know About Heart Disease
Heart disease is often thought of as a disease that impacts men, but the truth is that it is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Close to one in every four female deaths is caused by heart disease. This year, in honor of American Heart Month, take the time to educate yourself on what symptoms to look for and what steps women can take to lower their risk of heart disease.
While the differences in heart attack symptoms between men and women are often highlighted, it’s crucial to know how to identify signs before a heart attack occurs. “What’s really important to emphasize is the difference between a sudden heart attack and much earlier symptoms of blockages that could eventually lead to a heart attack,” says Dr. Stacy Smith, MD, FACC. “You don’t want to catch these things when you’re having a heart attack. You want to find out long before that happens.”
There are several common symptoms that women should be looking out for, including:
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Unusual fatigue occurring with activity
- Discomfort during physical activity