Heart disease is the #1 killer of American women-no matter what their race or ethnicity. The fact is that cardiovascular disease (heart disease) kills nearly twice as many women as all cancers combined. One in four women dies of heart disease. By contrast, 1 in 30 dies of breast cancer. Unfortunately, there's a wide gap between what really threatens women and what they fear. Many women do not recognize heart disease as their leading health threat.
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, and back or jaw pain, sometimes without chest pain.
If you or someone you are with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than five minutes before calling 9-1-1 for help.
Sources: American Heart Association
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