Everyone knows that women and men are different from one another. The leading killer of men is also the number 1 killer of American women. That is why it is important for women to understand what heart disease is, to know what the risks are, and to have detection and treatment best suited for you. Many people believe that women do not develop heart disease as often as men, and that when a woman experiences chest pain, it can be attributed to noncardiac causes. This is a myth.
Women do develop heart disease, but their symptoms can be different from men's symptoms.
The classic cardiac symptoms have been based on what men typically experience, making the disease easier to identify in men. In contrast, a woman may have chest discomfort that comes and goes, or shortness of breath with stress or exertion. What's typical for a man may not be typical for a woman. Certainly, there are other explanations for these symptoms, but if you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. Only your physician can diagnose heart disease.