More than one in three. If you're a woman, those are your
chances of dying from heart disease or stroke. Your odds of
dying from breast cancer are one in 27. Cardiovascular diseases
affect more women than men and heart attacks are generally more
severe in women than in men. Failing to recognize and respond to
symptoms of a heart attack may be part of the reason women
experience a greater proportion of sudden cardiac deaths than
men. That's mostly due to misperceptions on the part of women
and their doctors. No wonder. The current warning signs of a
heart attack are based primarily on studies of white, middle-
aged men. While these are important to know, adhering too
rigidly to this list may lead to inaccurate diagnoses and delay
in treatment for women. Traditional Heart Attack Warning Signs
(based on men's experience) - pressure, fullness, tightness or
pain in your chest lasting five minutes or longer - constant
indigestion-like discomfort - chest pain that moves to your
shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back - li