While men may develop heart disease and suffer their first heart attack at age 40 or 50, women who develop heart disease are usually 60 or 70 and often suffer from diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis or other chronic conditions. Women with diabetes can develop heart disease as early as men. While most men experience crushing chest pain when heart disease symptoms flare up, most women say the experience feels more like a bad case of indigestion or heartburn. Some women feel pain just in their jaw or no pain at all. And in many cases, unexplained nausea, dizziness and cold sweats are the primary symptoms.
Studies show that women also wait longer than men to seek help.
Set in their role as caregiver, women tend to ignore symptoms until it's sometimes too late. I tell women, 'Don't just look out for your husband's health. There is good news, however. In fact, a recent New England Journal of Medicine article touted these healthy habits as the best methods of preventing heart disease. Libov now eats meals with vegetables as the main course and protein as a side dish.