Cardiac gender gap
Men and women have different heart attack symptoms.
Heart attacks are more common and often strike earlier in men, but according to researchers, women are more likely to die from the condition. One reason is that women often experience a combination of less-recognized symptoms, which they may attribute to something non-life-threatening.
In addition, women having heart attacks wait more than 30% longer than men to seek treatment, studies show.
“Many women are focused on the daily aspects of their busy lives, which can include caring for children, a spouse or relatives, and tend to minimize their own symptoms,” said Andre Macedo Dias, MD, a cardiologist with Baptist Heart Specialists. “It is very important not to disregard those symptoms and to seek medical attention. This is especially important in women who have risk factors or a strong family history of cardiovascular disease.”
If you experience any of these warning signs, call 911 immediately, try to stay calm and take deep breaths while you wait for first responders to arrive.
Don't wait for heart symptoms to see a heart doctor
When you understand your current heart health, you can take steps to prevent a serious cardiac event, like a heart attack. Take the short Heart Health Quiz to get a free, detailed risk report with personalized information, including suggestions for preventive care or resources to make an appointment with a Baptist Heart Specialists cardiologist.
