She recalls not being taken seriously, something experts note is common for African American women. Parker added, Many times when you go in, they relate the problems you are having to stress. They try to give you something to calm your nerves. Dr. Stuart Soloman. Of Methodist DeBakey Heart Center said, In other words, shortness of breath, palpitations, fluttering in the chest may be chalked off as being due to stress, where in reality, they are signs and symptoms of high blood pressure or potentially other easily treatable problems.
Women experience different warning signs for heart attack than do men.
They include chest and stomach pain, nausea, shortness of breath, unexplained anxiety and rapid heart rate. Dr. Soloman said, African American women need to be aware that if they take care of themselves early in life that it s like paying dividends in a weekly savings program. You're going to benefit tremendously in the long run. Nellie Parker was a model patient in reducing her risk of heart disease. She maintains a healthy weight, watches her diet and exercises.