As a result, AHA advises against prescribing HRT for the sole purpose of preventing heart attacks and strokes in women who already have cardiovascular disease. AHA says that for women diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, who are using HRT for other conditions such as osteoporosis, the decision to continue or stop HRT should be based on the noncoronary benefits and risks and on patient preference. Since there are other risks of HRT to be considered, any decision to use hormone replacement therapy should be discussed carefully with your doctor. Women need to be aware of something else. That s because women often have different signs of a heart attack than men.
Women are more likely to have nausea and pain high in the abdomen.
They also may experience a burning in the chest that they dismiss as indigestion. Women also can have atypical angina resulting in extreme fatigue instead of chest pain from physical exertion. Angina is not a heart attack but is an indication for a doctor that more investigation is needed. If you suspect a heart attack in yourself or another person, seek emergency medical help right away. All Concept Communications material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care.