Heart disease tops breast cancer as the leading cause of death in women
Approximately 500,000 women die of heart disease each year in the United States—that’s more than twice the number of women who die from cancer, including breast cancer. In fact, heart disease causes 10 times more deaths than breast cancer.
Women should also be aware of their risk factors for a heart attack. Monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol, regular exercise and not smoking can help decrease the risk of a heart attack.
Heart attack symptoms can differ between women and men
Heart attack symptoms in women
- Chest pain—Pain may be mild or absent, often described as pressure, dullness or ache.
- Shortness of breath—May occur simultaneously or before chest pain. More common in women.
- Sweating—May break into a sweat with cold, clammy skin.
- Throat, neck, back or jaw pain—Discomfort may be felt in other areas of the upper body. More common in women.
- Nausea, vomiting or indigestion—Feel nauseated and vomit. More common in women.
- Anxiety—Heart attacks in women may be mistaken for panic attacks with shortness of breath, anxiety and indigestion.
- Fatigue—Many report a sudden onset of unusual fatigue as their only warning sign of a heart attack.
Heart attack symptoms in men
- Chest pain—Discomfort in the center of the chest, often described as crushing.
- Shortness of breath—May occur simultaneously or before chest pain.
- Sweating—May break into a sweat with cold, clammy skin. More common in men.
- Throat, neck, back or jaw pain—Discomfort may be felt in other areas of the upper body.
- Nausea, vomiting or indigestion—May feel nauseated and vomit.
- Anxiety—May feel a sense of doom.
- Fatigue—Fatigue is less common in men.
Silent ischemia
Not all heart attacks have obvious symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath. A heart attack can occur without the person knowing due to there being minimum or no symptoms. Often referred to as a silent heart attack, silent ischemia occurs when there is a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle due to temporarily blocked blood flow. If you believe you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas, recommended by women
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas has earned for the seventh consecutive year the 2022 Women's Choice Award as one of America's Best Hospitals for Heart Care by earning women's highest recommendation.
The hospital also received the 2022 Women's Choice Award as one of America's Best Hospitals for Patient Safety.
The Women's Choice Award is the only evidence-based designation that identifies the country's best hospitals based on robust criteria and what women say they want from a hospital.
News and advice
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