Raising awareness for women's heart health during American Heart Month
Shockingly, in 2021, 1 in every 5 female deaths was due to heart disease.
More Stories
February is American Heart Month, dedicated to encouraging everyone to focus on their cardiovascular health, with a special emphasis on women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 60 million women in the U.S. are living with some form of heart disease.
MORE: 5 common myths about heart disease in women
Shockingly, in 2021, 1 in every 5 female deaths was due to heart disease. Despite this alarming statistic, women's heart issues often go undiagnosed because their symptoms can be different from those experienced by men.
Symptoms for women may include angina, typically felt as a full or heavy chest discomfort or ache, as well as pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back.
However, some women may not display any symptoms at all. It's crucial for women to be aware of these symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience them, as early detection and treatment can be life-saving.
Dr. Erica Spatz, from Yale School of Medicine says, "Women sometimes present differently than men do. Sometimes chest pain and heart attacks look different than the classic chest pain and heart attacks in men which is when there's a blockage in the heart artery."
