Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women.
Many of us are surprised to learn that heart disease takes the lives of one of every three women each year. Heart disease kills more women than breast cancer, stroke or any other disease, yet the early warning signs are often overlooked.

Would you recognize the symptoms of heart disease?
The warning signs of heart disease in women and some men are not always typical of what you would expect. It is important that you recognize the symptoms of heart disease and learn what you can do to minimize your risk.

Some warning signs that frequently occur in women include:

Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
Flu-like symptoms -- nausea, clamminess or cold sweats
Pain in the upper back, shoulders, neck or jaw
Unexplained anxiety, fatigue, weakness or dizziness.

If you or anyone you know shows these signs, tell your doctor, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Are you at risk?
One of the first steps you can take to reduce your changes of heart disease is to learn about your risk factors and what you can do to lower them. You can be at risk for heart disease if you:

Smoke
Are overweight
Are diabetic
Are under stress
Have high cholesterol
Have high blood pressure
Are not physically active
Are postmenopausal
Have a family history of heart disease

Simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can make a significant difference to your health. Maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, monitoring your blood pressure and having your cholesterol levels checked are all ways you can help prevent heart disease.

Get HeartSmart
Talk with your doctor to learn more about a heart healthy lifestyle or to inquire about a cardiac assessment. Providence St. Peter Hospital's HeartSmart Clinic also offers a comprehensive HeartSmart screening. A copy of your screening results will be sent to your doctor.