Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. We all know the common signs of heart attacks, but did you know the signs are different for men and women? Knowing what to expect could make all the difference.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every three deaths in this country is from heart disease and stroke. That's about 2,200 deaths every single day.
February is American Heart Month, a time to spread awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it. Did you know women are less likely to experience one of the hallmark symptoms of heart attack? They often don't feel chest pain that many associate with having a heart attack.
A new study of more than one million heart attack patients finds more women than men went to the hospital without chest pain or discomfort. Experts say lacking this noticeable symptom of a heart attack can delay treatment.
Researchers also found women were more likely to die at the hospital after suffering a heart attack than men, but they were generally older when they experienced heart problems. The differences in heart attack symptoms and death rates started to disappear as women got older.
Do you know what signs to watch for? The most common symptoms of a heart attack that women experience are discomfort in the chest, pressure or pain that spreads to the shoulders and neck, dizziness or nausea, anxiety and shortness of breath.
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Information from NBC News used in this report.
