#1 killer disease of women can be misdiagnosed as the flu

[Emily]

http://news.emory.edu/stories/2014/02/jjm_womens_heart_center_launch/campus.html

Emory Healthcare launches new heart center for women

Woodruff Health Sciences Center | Feb. 12, 2014
Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Experts at the Emory Women's Heart Center (EWHC) advise that women experiencing heart attacks often have symptoms that are different than men. Many women do not realize they are having a heart attack because the symptoms may be mild or they may attribute the symptoms to stress, muscle strain, indigestion, or the flu.
The Emory Healthcare web site provides a list of heart attack symptoms more typical for women.
Emory cardiologists also warn: "In the case of a heart attack, no symptom should be taken lightly. If symptoms exist, act on them as soon as possible and call 911 as soon as the symptoms appear. With heart attacks, TIME = MUSCLE. A heart attack can begin to damage the heart within 30 minutes of the start of symptoms and sometimes the damage can be irreversible. Call 911 - even if you are not sure it is a heart attack. It could save your life"...

http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com...8-5d1f-11e1-9931-001871e3ce6c.html?mode=story

Women?s heart attacks are often misdiagnosed
Kathy Hubbard
June 2013
Posted: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 10:00 am
By KATHY HUBBARD Columnist | 1 comment

One woman said she had terrible pains in her legs. She thought she was developing varicose veins. Another woman said that she felt tired and had trouble catching her breath, but blamed it on a new exercise routine. A third woman complained of a stomachache and was munching down antacids. These women were having heart attacks.

The fact, as many of you know, is that heart attack is the number one killer today for both men and women. However, according to WomenHeart.org., women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men are.

Chest crushing pain may be common for men, but much less so for women. Less than 30 percent of women complained of chest pains during an attack. The most common symptoms for women before experiencing an attack was unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances and shortness of breath.

?The heart has no pain receptors,? explained Trish Majszak, unit manager for Bonner General Hospital?s Intensive Care Unit. ?So, the response travels pathways, sometimes to the shoulder, the middle of the back or somewhere else. I know of a patient whose only symptom was an achy pain in her little finger.?