[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/02\/women-heart-disease-know-signs\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/02\/women-heart-disease-know-signs\/","headline":"Women and Heart Disease: Know the Signs","name":"Women and Heart Disease: Know the Signs","description":"Did you know symptoms of a heart attack are different for women? Discover which conditions women are more susceptible to, and learn about eary detection.","datePublished":"2015-02-01","dateModified":"2020-03-09","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Older-woman-heart-disease.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Older-woman-heart-disease.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/02\/women-heart-disease-know-signs\/","about":["Heart and Vascular Health","Women's Health"],"wordCount":455,"keywords":["arrhythmia","chest pain","coronary artery disease","coronary heart disease","dizziness","flutter","heart attack","heart attack symptoms","heart failure","heart palpitations","heart valve disease","valve problems","women's heart health"],"articleBody":"Do women have heart problems? While the symptoms might be different than they are for men, the answer is “yes.”Coronary heart disease is the number one killer of women, affecting one out of every three women each year. While the risk of heart disease increases with age and menopause, younger women are at risk for heart disease, too. By learning some basic facts about symptoms, you can talk with your doctor about whether you’re at risk.Find more information. Contact the UPMC Women\u2019s Heart Program.Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease in WomenWomen are busy juggling tasks at work and at home. It’s easy for women to care for others, but what about caring for yourself? Do you ignore how you feel because you’re too busy, or because you think there’s nothing to it?You might think you’re feeling tired because you’re getting older. Or if you’re pregnant, you guess that’s why you’re feeling light-headed. You’ve had a dry cough for a few months, but isn’t it just a cold? Maybe, but maybe not. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have:Shortness of breathChest painFluttering in the chest (also called heart palpitations)Fatigue, or feeling very tiredCoughing, especially a dry coughAnxietySwelling of your feet or anklesFast weight gainAnd, it’s very important to know that heart attack symptoms can be different for women than they are for men. Women don’t always have the classic symptoms like chest pain, arm pain, and shortness of breath. Your symptoms might be less dramatic and can include:Pressure or pain in the chest that comes and goesSweatingNauseaDizziness or light-headednessPain in the jaw, arm, or backIf you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away. Early treatment can save your life.Common Heart ProblemsBoth men and women are affected by:Coronary artery disease – Happens when the blood vessels that bring blood and nutrients to the heart and blockedValve problems – Happen when the valves don’t open or close properlyArrhythmia – Happens when your heart beats too fast, too slow, or in an irregular wayHeart failure – Happens when your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needsGet Checked or ScreenedBy having a checkup, you can get facts about your symptoms, your risks, and your treatment options.Visit the UPMC Women’s Heart Program or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI (1-855-876-2484) to learn more or request an appointment. You can also gain insight into your risk factors by visiting a free heart screening."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Women and Heart Disease: Know the Signs","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/02\/women-heart-disease-know-signs\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]